ScotRail to triple number of staff body cams on rail network
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ScotRail plans to more than triple its number of body worn cameras in the coming weeks in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour on the railway network.
The train operator will roll out more than 1,000 new body cameras by the end of this month, replacing its existing suite of 350 body cameras, while increasing the number of units available to frontline staff.
The introduction of the new devices is part of a £1.6million investment to tackle anti-social behaviour on Scotland’s railway services.
ScotRail first introduced body worn cameras in 2017 following a successful trial.
During the trial, the train operator found that customers positively changed their behaviour when they were informed that they were being recorded.
Since then, ScotRail said body cameras have proven to be invaluable in providing evidence on incidents such as assaults on staff with successful prosecutions resulting from their use.
Other initiatives include increasing the number of frontline staff particularly on late night trains on key routes, and the recent expansion of the train operator’s Travel Safe Team.
The initiative was initially introduced in October 2021 before expanding in autumn 2022 and the teams work closely with British Transport Police (BTP) to support customers and colleagues in the promotion of a safe railway environment both on train and in stations.
The team was designed to be a reactive resource with the ability to quickly focus on emerging hot spots.
David Lister, ScotRail Safety, Engineering and Sustainability Director, said: “Body worn cameras play an important role in deterring criminal behaviour and supporting potential prosecutions.
"By increasing the number of units available to our people, it means that anyone who wants to use a body camera has the option to do so.
“Safety is our top priority, and together with our Travel Safe Team, these cameras play a crucial role in ensuring a secure work environment for our customers and colleagues.”
Jim Gray, RMT ScotRail Co-ordinator, said: “The RMT union fully supports the use of body worn cameras to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“It’s great to see ScotRail increasing the number of units available for frontline staff to more than 1,000 which means a camera is available for anyone who wants one."
