Police Scotland will be promoting fraud awareness to commuters across the country next week as part of the new Stay Safe – Get on Board partnership initiative.
Alongside teams from the British Transport Police, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, and Scotrail, officers will be speaking to the public up and down the east coast trainlines between Inverness and Galashiels, as part of the Anti-Fraud Roadshow.
The initiative will begin at Aberdeen Train Station on Monday, 11 March, 2024, with officers from the Crime Reduction Unit, as well as Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and British Transport Police, travelling onward on the Aberdeen-Dundee and Edinburgh-Dundee lines. Officers will be offering passengers advice on how to avoid being defrauded or what to do if they have been a victim of fraud.
Day two of the initiative will see officers and partners providing further advice to those travelling on the Aberdeen-Inverness and Edinburgh-Galashiels lines.
Inspector Claire Smith, of the Crime Reduction Unit, said: “Police Scotland is committed to tackling fraud and pursuing those responsible. Providing support to victims is a priority for us.
“However, we hope that by working alongside partners we can deliver critical fraud prevention messaging and equip people with the information they need to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place.
“I would encourage anyone travelling on East coast trainlines who would like any advice on how to spot fraudulent activity or who have any concerns about fraud to speak with our officers.”
Inspector Ashley Forbes of the British Transport Police said: “British Transport Police are proud to join forces with Police Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland as part of the new Stay Safe – Get on Board initiative.
“Criminals may use a variety of tactics to commit fraud on unsuspecting passengers on Scotland’s rail network, so it’s vital the travelling public are equipped with the correct information and tools they need to prevent becoming a victim of fraud.
“British Transport Police’s high visibility officers, alongside our key partners, will be conducting on-board and at station patrols across Edinburgh and the North East to spread our important fraud prevention messaging to passengers.”
Lesley Clark, Director of Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, said: “We are proud to be involved in the Stay Safe – Get on Board joint initiative, working with partners from Police Scotland, British Transport Police, Scotrail, including Travel Safe Team and Network Rail.
“Crimes including Fraud and other Community Safety issues can have a devastating impact on people and our communities. By working together, providing advice and support it is hoped people will feel more informed and better at identifying crimes and prevent them becoming a victim.”
Immersive VR experience, designed to empower bystanders to recognise and help combat sexual harassment on the railway, on show today at Edinburgh Waverley station.
Demonstrating how a small action could make a big difference is important – 85% of women would feel relieved if someone intervened when experiencing sexual harassment on public transport.
This is the latest in a series of nationwide events aimed at providing advice and tips on how bystanders can safely intervene and report a situation before police or rail staff are able to get involved.
As part of the rail industry and British Transport Police’s continued commitment to make sure every passenger feels safe when travelling by train, an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience is coming to Edinburgh today – Thursday 16th November.
The event is aimed at tackling all forms of sexual harassment by educating people to recognise how these situations occur for passengers and empower them to intervene safely and report perpetrators.
Sexual harassment is a real and far-reaching issue in society with seven in ten (71%) women in the UK having experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, the latest survey commissioned by UN Women UK finds.
The short VR film shows how small actions, such as asking the victim if they want to swap seats or distracting the perpetrator with a question, can prevent further escalation in the moment.
Following a successful initial launch of this innovative VR film earlier this year at London Waterloo station, Rail Delivery Group (RDG) together with British Transport Police (BTP) and local train operators are inviting people in Edinburgh to try the immersive VR experience in their local station.
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group said: “As an industry we are actively tackling all forms of sexual harassment and are committed to making our passengers feel safe when onboard.
“By showcasing the ground-breaking VR experience in stations across the country we’re to equipping people with tips on how to safely intervene in situations as a bystander without putting themselves in harm’s way.
“Whether you see it or experience it, we ask everyone to report anything that makes you uncomfortable to British Transport Police by texting 61016 or using the Railway Guardian app.
“Passengers using Britain’s railways have a right to feel safe and confident to call out these behaviours without fear.”
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, said: “Everyone has the right to go about their day in peace without fear of harassment or abuse. ScotRail works very closely with British Transport Police and Network Rail to ensure that Scotland’s Railway is a safe environment for our customers and our staff.
“To assist us in tackling unacceptable behaviour, it’s important for anyone who witnesses it to report those responsible so that they can be brought to justice. This VR experience plays an important role in helping bystanders identify inappropriate behaviour when it takes place.”
Further events will be held in various cities in Great Britain over the coming weeks and months.
How to report
By reporting all incidents that occur, bystanders can help British Transport Police to identify perpetrators and reduce potential harm for others in the future.
To report an incident, contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or using the Railway Guardian app. In an emergency, always call 999.
To watch the full VR film, visit the National Rail YouTube channel here.
The charity Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police to highlight how criminal ‘County Lines’ gangs target young people and exploit them to carry cash, drugs and weapons.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of County Lines, which is when criminals expand their drug networks to Scottish cities and towns, bringing serious criminal behaviour such as violence, exploitation and abuse.
The term County Lines refers to the use of a single telephone number to order illegal drugs, operated from outside the local area.
This is having a massive impact on Scotland’s towns and cities and also on vulnerable young people and adults who are being exploited. Young people often transport cash and drugs all over the country, so that the criminals behind them can remain detached and are less likely to be caught.
Many travel by public transport, which is why Network Rail has pledged their support by raising awareness of the problem and are encouraging staff and passengers to become familiar with the signs of exploitation.
The gangs often set up a base in a rural area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person by ‘cuckooing’ and use adults and children to act as drug runners.
Law enforcement across the UK, including here in Scotland, has made significant arrests of people involved in this type of activity. Many vulnerable adults and children who have been coerced into these activities have been safeguarded.
The campaign, supported by Network Rail, will use a series of `spot the signs’ posters, postcards and social media tools to help raise awareness of the issue across Scotland.
Angela Parker, Scotland National Manager for the independent charity Crimestoppers, said: “County Lines isn’t necessarily a term people are familiar with, but as a charity it’s important we raise awareness of this issue and help tackle it.
“Gangs coming into our communities here in Scotland, are not welcome. We want to ensure that if they do decide to set-up their operation here, that your information can help get them removed and keep our communities safe.
“When you contact us, we won’t judge or ask any personal details. All we want to know is what you know. We guarantee you’ll remain 100% anonymous. Always.
“If you have any information about people who have recently moved into Scottish communities to sell drugs, please contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the simple and secure anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan said:“I welcome today’s launch of this important campaign. Raising awareness of the threats posed by County Lines gangs is a key element in tackling organised crime and reducing the harm it causes to our communities.
“The Scottish Government, along with partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, is committed to continuing to bring to justice those who supply illegal drugs and cause untold harm to some of our most vulnerable individuals and communities.
“I would like to thank Crimestoppers and our other partner agencies for their determined efforts to take illegal substances off Scotland’s streets and to dismantle the groups responsible.”
Allan Brooking, Senior Community Engagement Manager at Network Rail said:‘Network Rail is delighted to be supporting Crimestoppers’ County Lines campaign. Our Company plays a vital role in connecting people across Scotland, so it’s hugely important to us to help safeguard young people at risk of, or being exploited by, criminals.
“Our partners at BTP and staff across the organisation have been equipped with information on what to look out for and we will be sharing the campaign at stations and with passengers.’
Detective Superintendent Garry Mitchell of Police Scotland: ““Police Scotland officers work hard to keep our communities safe and make the country a hostile environment for organised criminals to operate.
“Exploiting the most vulnerable people, including children, is the approach of those who operate County Lines. They intimidate, coerce, threaten and use violence to groom young people and force them to transport, store and sell drugs for their own nefarious benefit.
“We will continue to work in partnership with Crimestoppers, Network Rail and British Transport Police to safeguard individuals who are recognised as being at risk and are grateful for their support.
“If you have information about anyone involved in County Lines, and importantly anyone who may be at risk, please get in touch with police or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Detective Superintendent Gareth Williams, British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce lead, said:“County lines gangs target young and vulnerable members of society and exploit them to run harmful drugs between locations, which can be hundreds of miles apart.
“As a force we are dedicated to identifying and safeguarding those exploited in this crime type to pull them out of harm’s way and away from a life of crime. Our specialist teams are working across the railway network in Scotland, and the entirety of the UK, every day to make it a hostile environment for drug suppliers to operate.
“Successfully combatting this offending requires a collaborative approach, not only with our policing colleagues but with the rail industry and the third sector. Crimestoppers’ anonymous reporting service is integral in this work as it provides us with crucial information we use to target and apprehend county lines gangs.”
Crimestoppers Scotland, BTP Scotland, Network Rail and the Rail industry raise awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment, encouraging reporting and helping to make sure there is no unsafe space on Scotland’s railways
Research shows people don’t realise that behaviours like wolf whistling, leering/staring or deliberately invading personal space are forms of sexual harassment
Crimestoppers Scotland has joined with Network Rail, BTP Scotland and the rail industry to tackle sexual harassment by ensuring people understand what constitutes such behaviour.
The campaign will also inform people of the action they can take to report sexual harassment if they witness it and thereby help to combat it.
New research shows a lack of awareness about the seriousness of non-physical types of sexual harassment, which can be distressing and frightening for those who experience them.
The survey of over 2,500 people, carried out for the Rail Delivery Group by 2CV, reveals just a minority of rail passengers realise that wolf whistling (30%), inappropriate staring (37%) or someone sitting/standing too close on an otherwise quiet carriage (39%) is sexual harassment.
Government research shows that 84% of women and 60% of men in the UK population have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
To tackle this, the rail industry is raising awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment with a Scotland-wide social media campaign, information distributed at Scotland’s stations – including big screens – to report instances where they feel unsafe. This will make it clear to perpetrators that their behaviour is not tolerated on the railway.
The rail industry expects that promoting a shared understanding of what sexual harassment looks like will help people who see or experience it gain the confidence to speak. This will help ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and BTP is encouraging reporting to give them a greater opportunity to detect and punish offenders.
Allan Brooking, Community Safety Manager at Network Rail Scotland said:“Any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable on our railway and in wider society. We want all our customers to feel confident that they can use the railway without feeling unsafe, violated, or intimidated.
“This campaign will contribute to making Scotland’s Railway safer, ensuring people understand what constitutes sexual harassment and what actions they can take to report sexual harassment.
“We are working closely with Crimestoppers, BTP and the wider rail industry to demonstrate how we can all play our part in keeping each other safe and show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on our network”
BTP Detective Chief Inspector Arlene Wilson said: “Sexual harassment is anything that makes you or anybody else feel uncomfortable with a sexual element.
“This campaign is about educating people on what is not acceptable and how to report it, so we can work together to make the rail network a hostile environment for sexual harassment. Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build an accurate picture of an offender and take action.
“We need to work together with the community to tackle this behaviour and create this hostile environment to discourage people from behaving in this manner. If you look at the root cause of some the behaviours around sexual assault it all stems from sexual harassment.
“We urge anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment to text us on 61016, whether something is happening at the time or has happened recently. Save 61016 in your phone, so you have the number to hand should you ever need us.
“No report is too small or trivial, and we will always take you seriously.”
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:“Every form of sexual harassment is serious and actions like leering, sitting unnecessarily close or making sexual comments are unacceptable on our railway and in wider society.
“As an industry, we’re committed to ensuring there is no unsafe space on the railway by showing the small number of perpetrators that they are not welcome on trains and at stations. The British Transport Police will hold them to account to make train journeys safer for everyone.”
The campaign reminds passengers that they can contact BTP via text to report any cases of sexual harassment that they witness. By sending a short message with details of what they’ve seen to 61016, witnesses can help BTP to identify perpetrators and reduce potential harm for others in the future. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Angela Parker, National Manager of charity Crimestoppers Scotland, said:“Our charity believes that everyone has the right to feel safe, and that includes when travelling on public transport. Sexual harassment must be stamped out which is why we along with Network Rail Scotland and partners are playing our part in supporting this important campaign.
“If you are uncomfortable about reporting someone you know who is responsible for sexual harassment, remember that you can speak up completely anonymously by calling the railway’s sexual harassment line which is powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 783 0137.
“We guarantee no one will ever know you contacted us and you will be helping to protect others from the harm caused by this unacceptable criminal behaviour.”
The Joint Programme Board overseeing the integration of British Transport Police (BTP) in Scotland into Police Scotland has agreed to review the timetable. A longer timetable will allow for enhanced engagement with officers, staff and their representatives on key issues, including pay and conditions. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has expressed disappointment at the delay, but the news has been welcomed by opposition parties at Holyrood. Continue reading Transport Police plan hits the buffers
