'BTP presence gives reassurance to festive rail passengers across South Wales'

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) press release:

British Transport Police (BTP) has today (Monday 14 December) launched a 10-day operation across the South Wales rail network aimed at ensuring passengers and staff stay safe on the rail network this festive season.

Operation Genesis will focus on Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street Newport and Swansea railway stations but officers will also be patrolling trains across the South Wales rail network.

The initiative will see an increase in high-visibility patrols and covert policing to target a number of issues including anti-social behaviour, theft of passenger property and assaults on, and abuse towards, members of railway staff.

Officers will also be targeting alcohol-related crime and disorder and aggressive vagrants as well as giving reassurance and personal safety advice to passengers travelling on the network.

As part of Operation Genesis, police will be handing out cards to passengers at stations, reminding them to look after themselves, to keep their belongings safe and to be respectful to other passengers and rail staff. On the back of cards are the safe travel numbers and space to write the times of your last train.

Chief Inspector Sandra England, Sector Commander for Wales, said: ^Rowdy and drunken behaviour is not just unpleasant for other passengers, it makes them feel fearful while they are simply travelling from A to B. Anyone whose behaviour crosses the line and becomes disorderly or abusive towards other passengers or staff will be dealt with robustly by our officers.^

Travellers are also being urged to look after themselves when returning home from pubs and clubs during the festive season.

Ch Insp England said: ^I can^t stress enough how important it is that you plan your route home before you start drinking. A good night out has a good ending and by checking your last train times and saving travel numbers in your phone you can make sure it all goes according to plan.^

Operation Genesis began at noon today (Monday 14 December) and ends on Christmas Eve.

BTP^s 10 steps to ensure a safe festive season:

1. Plan your return journey before you start drinking

2. Know your drinking limits

3. Stay awake while travelling

4. Look after friends and colleagues

5. Keep an even temper

6. Zip up your bags

7. Travel with a friend if possible

8. Report suspicious behaviour

9. Mind the gap

10. Keep your luggage with you

[matt473]

In addition to this, I saw the police presnce on Firday at Swansea on Friday and there was a large number of them. They were also ensuring everyone had valid tickets along with RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) staff. Staff on the trains are also informing passengers about baggage thieves operating on trains during their announcements and are encouraging people to ensure they check they still have all luggage occasionaly during the journey.