SCOTRAIL today (Tuesday) announced that it will trial the use of body-worn cameras on Scotland’s busiest routes and stations, starting from mid-March.
The train operator claims the technology has the potential to improve
safety and security, in particular by helping deter anti-social behaviour.
However a spokeswoman admits that crime on Scotland’s railways has fallen consecutively over the last ten years.
About 200 station and on-train staff will wear one of 21 cameras at some
point during the 11-week trial, across locations including Aberdeen,
Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Paisley.
Staff will be instructed to only turn cameras on when doing so could help prevent, or document, incidents.
Jacqueline Dey, ScotRail’s operations and safety director, said: “While crime has fallen for ten consecutive years on Scotland’s railways, we’re determined to make rail travel feel even more comfortable for customers and staff.
Chief Superintendent John McBride, Divisional Commander of the Scotland Division of British Transport Police, said: “Scotland’s railway is an extremely low crime environment and the chance of becoming a victim of crime is very small.
“Nonetheless, staff have the right to go about their duties without the threat of encountering anti-social behaviour of any kind.”
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