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Using trains to travel to work

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_toommm_

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I’m classed as an essential worker (unfortunately) and have to travel to work by two trains (One long distance, one not), and potentially work from different locations. My work has said they’ll provide letters to prove we’re essential, but so far this hasn’t come to fruition.

Does anyone know if the Police are actively stopping people from travelling if they can’t prove it? I’ve seen a few references to it on Facebook and Twitter (which could of course be hearsay).
 
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ARIC

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Do you have any proof you work for the employer, say an ID badge or wage slip? And is it obvious from the name/ID that it's an employer that has essential staff?
 

_toommm_

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And is it obvious from the name/ID that it's an employer that has essential staff?

That's the thing. My employer has redeployed me from a non-essential part of the company to an essential part, but its two different companies so my swipe card and name badge is for the non-essential company, even though I now work in the essential one!

Confusing, I know...
 

martin2345uk

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If you do get stopped because your work haven’t given you something they should have, I don’t see how it will be your fault anyway (“,)
 

_toommm_

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If you do get stopped because your work haven’t given you something they should have, I don’t see how it will be your fault anyway (“,)

True. I'm just worried as the main part is Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly which is only hourly at the moment and if I miss the 06:00 because of it, I'd be an hour and a half late.
 

telstarbox

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The police don't have a list of "approved" employers or occupations. So you may just need to explain your job but you aren't required to show ID or a letter.
 

Bantamzen

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I’m classed as an essential worker (unfortunately) and have to travel to work by two trains (One long distance, one not), and potentially work from different locations. My work has said they’ll provide letters to prove we’re essential, but so far this hasn’t come to fruition.

Does anyone know if the Police are actively stopping people from travelling if they can’t prove it? I’ve seen a few references to it on Facebook and Twitter (which could of course be hearsay).

Social media has been in a feeding frenzy of misinformation, you should not be taking advice from any. The official government position is:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...dance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:

  • shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
  • one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
  • any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
  • travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
So providing your work cannot be done from home, you are able to travel to work. You should not need any form of proof, and if asked just give details of your job. The Police should not obstruct you from travelling to your place of employment unless you are potentially showing signs of the illness. They are under instructions to use common sense and discretion, not to obstruct people going about their business provided they are following the government guidelines.
 

philthetube

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True. I'm just worried as the main part is Leeds to Manchester Piccadilly which is only hourly at the moment and if I miss the 06:00 because of it, I'd be an hour and a half late.

It would only happen once, then you would get the needed papers.
 

johntea

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That is a long commute which presents a risk - have you asked if your employer can provide hotel accomodation?
 

MDB1images

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I received the letter today should I be stopped and checked so I'd imagine your employer will issue yours soon.

It needs backing up potentially with staff ID to prove who you are.
Checks are taking place on stations from what I've seen(very informal)but once the restrictions step up I'd say you'll need some form of paperwork.
 

_toommm_

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Cheers for all the replies folks it's very much appreciated. Hopefully I won't have too many problems tomorrow :D
 

Iskra

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As long as you have a reasonable explanation and you aren't behaving suspiciously I don't think they will care, unless they are extremely bored.

I'm not an essential worker but had to go into Sheffield City Centre today for a valid reason, at rush hour there were a fair few people around, including a queue of people outside a bank. I parked up directly behind two police vans and they didn't bat an eyelid despite the fact I wasn't exactly dressed for work. Although apart from today's brief venture out for a work purpose, I have stayed at home, I genuinely don't think there are enough police to physically check everyone who might need to leave the house, and at this point the rules are pretty relaxed and open to reasonable interpretation.
 

_toommm_

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I was stopped at Piccadilly this morning (as was everyone else). Four police at the exit to the station, another few walking on the concourse and stopping others. The police officer was really nice so no problems there, but as I’ve not got the letter yet and lack of a photo work ID (my company simply doesn’t do them) means I’ll probably struggle tonight and tomorrow.
 

Bletchleyite

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I was stopped at Piccadilly this morning (as was everyone else). Four police at the exit to the station, another few walking on the concourse and stopping others. The police officer was really nice so no problems there, but as I’ve not got the letter yet and lack of a photo work ID (my company simply doesn’t do them) means I’ll probably struggle tonight and tomorrow.

Quite a lot of companies don't do branded ones these days, they feel generic ones are of less risk and they can be verified electronically. Even one of the Police forces who I've done some work for issued "blank" ones.
 

yorkie

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I was stopped at Piccadilly this morning (as was everyone else). Four police at the exit to the station, another few walking on the concourse and stopping others. The police officer was really nice so no problems there, but as I’ve not got the letter yet and lack of a photo work ID (my company simply doesn’t do them) means I’ll probably struggle tonight and tomorrow.
You do NOT require ID.

I am a key worker and no-one has told me I need to carry ID; I keep my ID at work.

A colleague of mine goes to Scotland to help her elderly mother; she doesn't need ID for that either.

See also: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...l-distancing-unnecessary-journeys-etc.202681/
 
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Fawkes Cat

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Can you get a manager to send you an email? If so, try to print it off, maybe send it to your phone so that you have something to show.
 

MDB1images

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You do NOT require ID.

I am a key worker and no-one has told me I need to carry ID; I keep my ID at work.

A colleague of mine goes to Scotland to help her elderly mother; she doesn't need ID for that either.

See also: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...l-distancing-unnecessary-journeys-etc.202681/

We've been told to carry the letter and Works ID(all have ID so easy to implement).
My niece(head teacher)has been told the same (again teachers all have ID so easy to implement).
Would imagine carrying the letter will suffice.

I suspect these checks are aimed at detering those going for a day out or travelling unnecessary rather than at any key worker who hasn't got any paperwork.

If I was the OP I certainly wouldn't worry about it but maybe ask the firm about what's happening with the letter for when restrictions get tighter.
 

Llanigraham

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I’m classed as an essential worker (unfortunately) and have to travel to work by two trains (One long distance, one not), and potentially work from different locations. My work has said they’ll provide letters to prove we’re essential, but so far this hasn’t come to fruition.

Does anyone know if the Police are actively stopping people from travelling if they can’t prove it? I’ve seen a few references to it on Facebook and Twitter (which could of course be hearsay).

Around here the Police have been randomly stopping traffic and checking whether journeys are neccessary. I know that the Powys NHS volunteers have been provided with letters, and I carry my 4x4 Response ID with me if I'm called out.
My son is a carer in Bath and he has been stopped both on his motorbike and in the car, but since he is in uniform hasn't had a problem. His company are now providing letters and a car sticker.
 

Horizon22

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Bantamzen

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You may not NEED ID, but given the circumstances why run the risk? My manager has advised us to keep ours with us when travelling to / from work.

Again, you do not need ID. Your manager doesn't make the rules, the government does. All the information they need is on the gov.uk site. If the Police start to ask for it without proper instruction, they are overstepping their mark & complaints need to be made to their respective forces.
 

LAX54

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Network Rail Staff (Anglia anyway) have been issued with an additional I.D stating what they are and they are Safety Critical, and also a letter to go with it, both only valid with the normal I.D card the staff have
 

Graham Hall

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I was stopped at Thornaby last night by the BTP. I am employed by a Govt Dept and classed as a key key worker. We have all been provided with letters to show the police which backs up our id if needed, but in this case he didn't ask for id, just asked if I was going home after work, then got back into his car.
 

Llanigraham

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Again, you do not need ID. Your manager doesn't make the rules, the government does. All the information they need is on the gov.uk site. If the Police start to ask for it without proper instruction, they are overstepping their mark & complaints need to be made to their respective forces.

Well all Police Forces in Wales are stopping people and are asking them to justify their journeys and asking for ID if they so see fit, and as far as I can see is completely within their juristiction.
And I see absolutely no problem with that!
 

yorkie

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Well all Police Forces in Wales are stopping people and are asking them to justify their journeys and asking for ID if they so see fit, and as far as I can see is completely within their juristiction.
And I see absolutely no problem with that!
But if you say you don't have ID or give a good alternative reason, e.g. helping an elderly/vulnerable person they can't stop you.

As I said before, I have no issues with them asking what you are doing but they will have to accept a reasonable/plausible answer.

If I need to go into work I am not going to be carrying ID as I keep my work ID at work and there is no requirement to show ID in this country.
You may not NEED ID, but given the circumstances why run the risk? My manager has advised us to keep ours with us when travelling to / from work.
The risk of what? being unlawfully prevented from going to work, the shops, or for exercise? That would be the police's risk to take, not mine.

As I said, they can ask questions, but must accept a reasonable/plausible answer; they cannot demand ID.
 
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FGW_DID

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Of course, things may change and restrictions may get tighter, the Police may get more powers to enforce and there will still be people who will be difficult about it and argue the point as they know better!
 

farleigh

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Well all Police Forces in Wales are stopping people and are asking them to justify their journeys and asking for ID if they so see fit, and as far as I can see is completely within their juristiction.
And I see absolutely no problem with that!
They can ask but they have no power beyond that.
They have zero power to demand ID.
 

FGW_DID

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They can ask for your name & address though, refusal to provide is grounds for arrest.
Surely, even if you don’t have to, wouldn’t it make any interactions easier and quicker if you did carry it instead of being difficult about it just to try to prove a point.
They aren’t just just doing these checks for the good of our health you know......

oh wait, yes they are!! :D
 

alxndr

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We've been issued with a letter, although I'd question how useful it is as although it's on letter headed paper it's not addressed to any particularly individual. I could photocopy a dozen letters and give them out at random if I so wished (obviously won't because I wouldn't encourage anyone to unnecessarily be out and about)!

I know anecdotally of people being followed and questioned.
 

_toommm_

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Just to clarify, it’s not that I’m not carrying a work ID card out of choice; it’s simply that we don’t have any. We have generic swipe cards that are personal to ourselves, but don’t identify us in any way.

Of course, if anyone was to ask for actual ID, I would produce it. I always have my uni ID, and 99% of the time have my passport.

I’m still waiting on the letter so I may come back again if I have any bad experiences. The officer in the afternoon was the same one, so we just exchanged a friendly smile and I went on my way.
 
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