Rail safety education first for BTP (16/01/09)

British Transport Police in Manchester has established a unique partnership with the next generation of media professionals in the city.

Officers from Manchester’s Neighbourhood Policing Team will assist young people studying for the Diploma in Creative and Media Studies at Eccles College in Salford. In return the students will help produce educational material for BTP as part of their course.

The students on the Diploma course have already been set their first assignment by BTP – to develop a rail safety awareness campaign aimed at their peers.

Chief Superintendent Peter Holden, BTP Area Commander for the North West, said: “I am delighted that we are able to support this diploma, which will not only highlight some of the issues surrounding rail crime, but will also strengthen our links with the local community. This is exactly what our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are all about.”

Advised by BTP officers, the students will learn how to think, question, explore, create and communicate the serious issue of railway crime and the potentially fatal consequences of trespassing on or near tracks.

Much of the activity will be assignment or project-based, allowing the students to bring together different disciplines and develop their practical skills and experience. It is hoped that the awareness campaign will be completed prior to the summer holidays, when crimes such as trespass and stone-throwing increase in number.

Helen Walker, of Salford City Council, said: “As Diploma Coordinator for Salford, I am really pleased that some of our students have been given the opportunity to participate in such an engaging and innovative project.

“Through collaboration and partnership with employers such as British Transport Police, the students will be able to see the relevance of the curriculum through the use of a more practical, hands on, approach to learning.

“They will be given the opportunity to develop skills which will benefit them in their future careers and will also have the chance to make a real difference to the lives of other young people.”

The Diploma is a new qualification that combines theoretical study with practical experience. Diplomas will cover 17 disciplines, including Engineering, IT, Science and Humanities. All Diplomas will require a student to achieve a minimum standard in English, Maths and ICT, complete a project and do a minimum of 10 days’ work experience.

BTP targets Wirral stations (15 December 2008)

British Transport Police is increasing the number of operations in the Birkenhead area to target anti-social behaviour, drunkenness and staff assaults at Merseyrail stations. The high visibility operations are being stepped up to reassure the thousands of people using the rail network on Merseyside.

Officers have also been granted additional powers to disperse groups of two or more people whose behaviour becomes antisocial or disorderly, an arrangement supported by Merseyrail and Wirral Council. The powers cover Birkenhead Central, Green Lane and Rock Ferry stations and will remain in place until June 2009.

Chief Inspector Sue Peters commented: "We hope people will notice the increased police activity. Officers will be looking out for anyone who is intimidating other passengers through their anti-social behaviour or who is abusive towards rail staff.”

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail's Managing Director, said: "Merseyrail is determined to maintain a safe and pleasant environment for our passengers and we won't tolerate any anti-social behaviour on our trains and stations.

Steve McGilvray, Manager of Wirral’s Joint Community Safety Team, said: "Anti-social behaviour, wherever it occurs in Wirral, is unacceptable and we fully support these increased efforts to tackle problems that occur around the local rail network."

KIDS RECORD PODCASTS TO PROMOTE RAIL SAFETY (July 2008)

British Transport Police have joined up with Rock FM's Cash for Kids charity to promote railway safety to young people in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Rock FM's media bus is touring schools in areas where BTP have received reports of route crime incidents, such as youths trespassing and involved in anti-social behaviour on the railway.

Pupils at the schools are being asked to create an advert or podcast about the dangers associated with trespassing and committing crimes on the railway. The Rock FM Bus Team will then select the best two groups of each day and their work will be featured on the radio station's website, alongside photographs and a write up of the day's activities.

Chief Supt Peter Holden, Area Commander of BTP in the North Western Area, said: 'During the school holidays we traditionally see an increase in offences on the railway across the UK. We are hoping that by targeting hot spot areas and through education work, we will reduce the number of incidents and deter the majority of youngsters from committing any route crime offences.

'I cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this type of crime. BTP officers are all too often called to incidents where youngsters are messing about on or near the railway. I am urging all parents and responsible adults to emphasise these dangers and ensure all youngsters keep away from the tracks during the holidays.

'People who trespass or commit crime on the railway are putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of all the staff and passengers traveling on trains.'

Clare Chadwick, spokesperson for Cash for Kids said: "Too many children have no idea about the dangers of playing and walking on rail lines. We are proud to be working in conjunction with the British Transport Police to make a positive difference to the attitudes of children who live or go to school near a railway."