The ScotRail Alliance has invested £300,000 to make the railways even safer for customers and staff.

Over 300 body-worn CCTV cameras are being made available to frontline staff across the country. The devices can be clipped on to the staff member’s uniform, or worn on a lanyard, and are clearly marked as CCTV cameras.

The cameras are capable of recording video and audio in high definition continuously for up to eight hours. The cameras will capture footage when they are activated by a member of staff.

The roll out follows a successful trial, where staff found that people positively changed their behaviour when informed that they were being recorded. Footage from cameras worn by staff has also been used in a number of prosecutions.

The initiative has been delivered in partnership with Transport Scotland and trade unions ASLEF, RMT and TSSA. The aim of the role out is to continue to improve the safety of customers and staff, deter antisocial behaviour, and gather evidence when it does occur.

The devices are produced by Edinburgh-based Edesix, who have designed the cameras so that frontline staff require no specialist training in how to use them. Wearers of the devices have no access to the footage they record, which is downloaded automatically to a secure site.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance Managing Director, said:

“We are building the best railway that Scotland’s ever had, and a key part of that is continuing to improve the safety of our railway. The safety and security of our staff and customers is our priority.

“Anti-social behaviour will never be tolerated at our stations, or on our trains. These new cameras will improve everyone’s journey by deterring anti-social or criminal behaviour, and help with gathering vital evidence on the rare occasions when it does occur.”
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands, said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with our industry partners to help build the best railway Scotland has ever had.

“Part of this includes investing in measures to target unwelcome behaviour and introducing bodycams will play a role in that.

“Every worker has the absolute right to carry out their duties without the fear of verbal or physical assault, just as every passenger has the right to a safe journey.”
Chief Inspector Sue Maxwell from British Transport Police, said:

“We’re delighted that our colleagues in the ScotRail Alliance will soon be equipped with body worn cameras right across Scotland. In September, BTP rolled out body worn cameras to all our officers meaning that they have an independent witness by their side at every single incident.

“Body worn cameras allows officers to capture essential evidence, help protect officers from malicious complaints and can speed up the justice process. With ScotRail now using these cameras, we’re sure this is another great step towards making Scottish railways a safer place to travel.”

Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF District Organiser, said:

“As a union we welcome these additional body cameras, but we urge all rail passengers to respect rail workers at all times – not just at this festive time.”

Liz Warren-Corney, TSSA Scotland Organiser, said:

“TSSA’s raison d’etre is all about ensuring our members get home safely to their loved ones after a day at work.

“Keeping them safe keeps Scotland’s passengers safe, so we welcome anything that adds to the safety levels and welcome the body cams.”

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident in Barcelona on Thursday 17 August 2017. Clearly this comes soon after attacks in London and Manchester as well as other attacks abroad.

Police Scotland understand the public will clearly be appalled by these events and urge each and every member of our communities to remain united against extremism and hate.

Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident.

Please be assured that Police Scotland continues to work with partners at home and abroad to counter the threat from terrorism and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our communities.

Those visiting the Edinburgh Festival will be aware of the National Barrier Asset – a temporary deployed system of high security gates, portals and barriers positioned at key locations across the city centre. These barriers form part of Police Scotland’s holistic security plan for this year’s events and we continue to work with event organisers to dynamically review all safety and security plans and operations.

Operation Summer City police officers continue to patrol key locations and Festival venues across the city. They are supported by Divisional policing teams, Project Servator and other specialist police officers working to deter and detect criminal activity and keep people safe. Project Servator involves both high visibility and plain clothed officers working together with local businesses, event staff and communities to detect and report suspicious activity.

The UK threat level remains at Severe. We have no specific information that Scotland is at risk of attack and I would ask you to go about your business as normal, remaining alert but not alarmed. Communities defeat terrorism and we want members of the public to act on their instincts to help tackle the threat of terrorism.

Please be vigilant and if you suspect something is wrong then report it to the police. If you have any concerns or information about suspicious activity please contact the Police on 101, the UK Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or in an emergency dial 999.

During Edinburgh Festival you can also visit Operation Summer City police at the unofficial 999 venue in Princes Street Gardens East or the Police Information Centre, High Street. Further information and guidance can also be found on the following link
http://www.scotland.police.uk/assets/pdf/174967/212074/action-counters-terrorism-leaftlet?view=Standard

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our communities safe.