ONE of the county’s railway operators is celebrating after receiving a full house for safeguarding vulnerable people on its network.
South Western Railway received 100% in the system devised by British Transport Police.
Incidents in which the company’s staff helped including reuniting youngsters who had got lost with their parents or guardians, and assisting people in a moment of need.
They also worked with British Transport Police on issues such as counterterrorism and protecting women and girls.
The Safeguarding on Rail measures were developed by the BTP and the Department for Transport to reflect the high numbers of vulnerable people on the rail network, and the responsibility that the industry has to keep them safe.
For the reaccreditation, SWR submitted more than 200 pages of evidence showing the various systems and schemes in place to embed safeguarding as ‘business as usual’ within its culture, involving everyone from senior leaders to frontline colleagues.
By December last year, almost nine in 10 SWR colleagues had completed a safeguarding training course, and additional training was available to become a ‘safeguarding champion’.
SWR shared examples of positive safeguarding interventions by colleagues putting this training into action, including helping customers in a moment of crisis and reuniting lost minors with their loved ones.
The BTP also interviewed SWR directors, department heads, the safeguarding coordinator, rail community officers, and colleagues at stations and across the network to compile the report.
Together with the BTP, SWR has set up ‘safe spaces’ at key locations, including at large events like Royal Ascot, and outside busy stations such as Richmond, to identify and respond to vulnerable people.
SWR promotes safeguarding campaigns with other organisations, such as Small Talk Save Lives with Samaritans, the White Ribbon campaign with White Ribbon UK and Safe Way Home with Missing People.
Dan O’Riordan, head of security and safety assurance at South Western Railway, was pleased with the results.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team for achieving 100% for our Safeguarding on Rail accreditation. They do such a fantastic job protecting our customers and colleagues on the network,” he said.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, which is why we have worked so hard to embed safeguarding as ‘business as usual’.
“If anyone is feeling vulnerable, anywhere on the network, we want them to know that they can talk to a colleague and will be in safe hands.”
This was echoed by Paul Furnell, Detective Chief Superintendent for the British Transport Police, who said: “South Western Railway achieved the pass mark of 100% which is a testament to the significant amount of work they have put in to protect and safeguard vulnerable people.
“It was evident both through interviews and with evidence provided that South Western Railway is dedicated to safeguarding and has a real desire to build on what is a great foundation to make this a success.
“I would like to congratulate South Western Railway for the work done to deliver the Safeguarding on Rail criteria.”
SWR plans to build on the reaccreditation further by organising a national safeguarding conference, engaging further with other train operators and partners to build on its success and share best practices.
