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.”