Southeastern wins award for cutting train violence (From News Shopper)

Southeastern wins award for cutting train violence

12:40pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

SOUTHEASTERN has won an award for slashing the numbers of violent incidents on its trains.

The operator picked up a Rail Business Award thanks to its joint effort with the British Transport Police in claiming to have reduced the number of assaults, robberies and other violent incidents on the south east rail network by 40 per cent.

The company says it has increased the number of Rail Enforcement Officers (REOs) from 44 to 70 and targeted vulnerable stations along its routes with extra support since it began running the franchise in 2006.

REOs are trained to make arrests and eject passengers from the network who are causing harm or distress to other passengers and staff.

Spokeswoman Alison Nolan said: "The safety and security of our passengers and staff is paramount.

"We’re working to do everything we can to discourage anti-social behaviour and ensure people travelling on our trains can do so safely."