Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to work with rail service providers to help tackle (a) antisocial behaviour and (b) sexual assault on rail services in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency.

Every rail operator that manages stations has an obligation to obtain and maintain Secure Stations Accreditation, assessed by the British Transport Police (BTP), for a number of their stations. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate that a station is designed and operated in a safe and secure way, considering issues such as lighting, CCTV and signage.

Operators are also required to obtain and maintain accreditation to the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme, again assessed independently by the BTP. The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they are actively supporting vulnerable people on their network.

The Department for Transport is funding a pilot scheme in Essex where Thurrock Council, working with other local authorities and the BTP, will be using Transport Safety Officers to help tackle anti-social behaviour on and around the rail network.

The Department also supports the Rail Delivery Group ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign against sexual harassment on the railway. The campaign informs people of the action they can take to report sexual harassment if they witness it and thereby help to combat it. A dedicated CrimeStoppers line is in operation for all those who wish to report anonymously.

The BTP will investigate every report of sexual harassment on the railway; incidents can be reported to BTP via text on 61016, via the Railway Guardian App, online, or in an emergency by dialling 999.