This is also how decisions such as where to invest in suicide fences are taken. The data isn’t widely publicised because knowledge of hotspots can produce copycat attempts, as has been statistically proven.
Very much a paid role.
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Safeguarding officer
- Thread starter Deafdoggie
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This is also how decisions such as where to invest in suicide fences are taken. The data isn’t widely publicised because knowledge of hotspots can produce copycat attempts, as has been statistically proven.
Very much a paid role.
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RailUK Forums
As a layperson I'd say that for me "Safeguarding Officer" has the virtue of having overtones of someone potentially focussed upon providing reassurance to vulnerable folk as well as providing a safer environment for passengers generally, whilst "Security Officer" or "Security Guard" is more suggestive of a night-club bouncer or supermarket shoplifter chaser with fairly limited interest or training in engaging with the vulnerable. The latter will perhaps score in providing law-abiding punters with grim satisfaction by bringing miscreants to book.
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I was speaking to a safeguarding officer at Rugby the other day, we were on about how it's a pretty new "job title" and he basically said, it's not anything new and is just a glorified way of saying "security guard". He said his job wasn't anything particular, such as the sense of suicide prevention which was mentioned earlier on in the thread and his job role actually used to be a security guard. He also mentioned the fact that they took him under a staff briefing about something, however he said he wasn't allowed to say.
But to sum it all up it doesn't seem to be any sort of new role and is just a new way of saying "security" it is most likely due to something to do with suicide, as the definition of safeguarding is "protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure." and at the time of writing this someone got hit by a train between BHM and COV today anyways. (Clearly can't be doing their job that well...)
But to sum it all up it doesn't seem to be any sort of new role and is just a new way of saying "security" it is most likely due to something to do with suicide, as the definition of safeguarding is "protect from harm or damage with an appropriate measure." and at the time of writing this someone got hit by a train between BHM and COV today anyways. (Clearly can't be doing their job that well...)
It amused me greatly that I know EXACTLY the chap you are referring to.
Also I did have quite a lot of chats with an Avanti safeguarding officer, he seemed to say that they would be around to a variety of stations, same guy was gateline though on some late evenings at Stoke station.
The issue with Longport and Stone is that they are not AWC managed stations so I doubt they can overtly 'police' them.
Is Longport the same TOC as Kidsgrove? East Midlands? Or is it WestMids/LNR?
Busaholic
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I highly doubt that the latter category would be considered part of their duties for all sorts of reasons. I'd suggest if county lines trafficking was suspected then a call to BTP would be the appropriate action.
Western Sunset
Established Member
When I talked with one of these guys at South Kenton some years ago, I got the impression that their role was different from just "Security".Think his patch was between Euston and Watford.
Really nice chap; got a picture of him with a Pendolino passing in the background. He was quite happy for me to post it on social media if I wanted, to spread the word about the work they do proactively checking the welfare of passengers.
Really nice chap; got a picture of him with a Pendolino passing in the background. He was quite happy for me to post it on social media if I wanted, to spread the word about the work they do proactively checking the welfare of passengers.
Murray J
Member
Bwahaha doesn't surprise me that someone does. With three bridges being a pretty well-used station and all it doesn't surprise me to see a permanent welfare & trespass officer patrolling.
Deafdoggie
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Longport is EMR. Even though they don't really stop any more! Stone is WMR and Barlaston is...well Central Trains was the last TOC to stop there!
I guess it's possible if you step up presense somewhere to stop it, you move the problem elsewhere. Barlaston & Wedgwood went through a very problematic stage, but there's CCTV on and around the platforms and crossing and access points and it has dropped off a lot. But now there's been a couple at Longport.
ETA The platforms at Wedgwood & Barlaston are fenced off. But, obviously, the level crossings remain open.
185143
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I had a chat with someone at South Croydon working in the same role back in January.
He approached me as I came up the stairs as he'd clocked me getting off a Southbound service and was then heading back North. I suppose that's unusual as it's not a typical Interchange.
He made sure I was ok, and knew where I was going then we had a good chat about the railway, pubs, real ale and all sorts. A properly friendly, pro active and approachable member of staff. And it wasn't just me, he made a point of greeting everyone who came onto the platform, which the vast majority (out of a sample of about 8 admittedly!) Seemed to genuinely appreciate.
Murray J
Member
That's pretty good to hear, sounds to me like they're pretty effective.
Sounds better than most Southern barrier staff in South London who all seem to disappear in to the ticket/back office after 19:00 leaving the wide gate open and rendering their entire employment pointless. GTR revenue management seem extremely weak in this area compared to their counterparts
TheSmiths82
Member
I would imagine given its location that Stafford station might be a hot spot for county lines trafficking given it is within easy distance of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. While I am sure that is not the main reason there are there, I assume it would be a major part of it. It is a much bigger problem that you might think.
Glasgowbusguy
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Some security guards are allowed to carry cuffs if they have proper training , insurance and authorisation
It sounds like that person is doing an exemplary job by proactively approaching someone whose behaviour is untypical, eg waiting at an unusual part of the platform, or remaining on the platform despite several trains passing. All staff - and for that matter anyone else who is concerned - should be prepared to ask someone if they’re okay, and indeed I’ve done so myself a couple of times when not at work. It might just prevent a tragic death, a bereaved family, and a traumatised driver.
Of course this kind of “unusual” behaviour is perfectly standard for enthusiasts, who may be spotting or photting, so the sight of a camera is often quite reassuring!
185143
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Indeed.
Politely asked if I was ok and knew where I was going, mentioning he'd seen me getting off the southbound train. He seemed to be exactly the right type of person to be doing that job, friendly, approachable, proactive. Exemplary really is the word.
interesting but this officer was patrolling inside the train. I was wondering if it was maybe to make sure people are not being harassed eg by being touched by the person next to them or a minor traveling alone . Also how you actually get in touch with them if you see a safeguarding issue onboard. Generally speaking im in favour of safe guarding officers
ScottGallagher
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I've seen these guys on board Avanti services too, however it may well be that they were travelling between stations specifically , they wear purple and black polo shirts. Was one guy at Lancaster on Weds at the North end of platform 3.
Pretty sure the ones on SWR are not security, they certainly don't look trained, have the confidence of security, nor wear the gear I would hope security would be given.
In fact if suicide prevention is any part of their role it is better that they don't have 'security' on their uniform, nor look like security - which could tip someone on the edge over it.
In fact if suicide prevention is any part of their role it is better that they don't have 'security' on their uniform, nor look like security - which could tip someone on the edge over it.
Sprinter153
Member
The Avanti officers are employed by Amulet and are very much focused on both station security (they seem to have SIA licenses) but also the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable passengers.
I had the misfortune to need their assistance in the latter situation at Lancaster recently, and they were very empathetic, supportive and helpful - even making sure I was met by their colleagues further down the line at my destination.
I was left with a very positive impression, which is more than can be said for contracted staff at many TOCs.
I had the misfortune to need their assistance in the latter situation at Lancaster recently, and they were very empathetic, supportive and helpful - even making sure I was met by their colleagues further down the line at my destination.
I was left with a very positive impression, which is more than can be said for contracted staff at many TOCs.
Scanderina
Member
Two LNER staff successfully brought my dad away from a suicide attempt at York station back in 2022, when he was in the midst of a mental health crisis and behaving erratically. It's been very heartening to read of your collective support for these colleagues' work. It can feel like a helpless situation dealing with mentally ill people, but there must always be hope.
185143
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It feels like this is the kind of thing that, if done well, can be done extremely well indeed.
As much as I'm against outsourcing, for very limited applications such as this, if there are genuinely existing outsourced staff who may be better suited to the kind of role they do, then why not use them.
Obviously whatever caused you to need their assistance is entirely between you and them, and frankly, you've been brave enough to even mention as much as you have here. But it's good to hear they've done a good job.
I've posted further upthread about speaking to one of the "Trespass and Welfare officers" at South Croydon back in January. He'd clocked my unusual behaviour (alighting a Southbound train, then crossing immediately to the Northbound platform) and started a conversation as I got to the top of the stairs. Subtly established my intentions, which were perfectly above board, and greeted everyone as they entered the platform. Had a very good conversation in the 10 minutes or so I was there. As someone on here rightly said, he was an exemplary member of staff doing his job perfectly. As a member of rail staff myself, I obviously knew what the true purpose of him being there was. But at no point was the conversation much beyond "Are you OK, do you need assistance?" "Yeah I'm fine thanks, heading back towards London." "Oh OK, did you miss your stop?" "No, I'm an enthusiast ticking off 377s. Been in London all weekend" and off we went having a chat about trains and pubs!
I regret not writing into GTR really, he was the perfect character for such a job and clearly knew and cared about his regular passengers.
KNN
Member
This forum (and the rail industry) can be a cynical place sometimes, but I'm so glad to hear your dad's story ended well.
There is some amazing work going on in this area, done by ordinary people.