Thursday 18 Jun 2009
END OF THE LINE FOR CENTRAL STATION LOITERING
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Network Rail, supported by the British Transport Police, is launching a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and loitering at Glasgow Central.
Large groups congregating in the station at weekends, and an associated increase in incidents of abuse of staff and facilities, is now posing a risk to the travelling public and the safe operation of the station.
Under railway byelaws, Network Rail staff, the British Transport Police and Strathclyde Police have the power to disperse any group loitering on station property without an intention to travel or use the retail facilities.
Among the issues causing concern are groups of people, numbering up to a total of 250 people, congregating in the station on Saturdays and Sundays causing congestion on the concourse and at exits and entrances.
In recent months there have also been several serious incidents of anti-social behaviour among these groups, including verbal and physical abuse of railway staff, damage to station property and endangering public safety by throwing objects across, and spilling liquids on, the concourse.
David Simpson, Network Rail’s route director for Scotland, said: “The safety and well being of station users is our paramount consideration and we will remove any group whose behaviour or presence is deemed inappropriate to the station environment or a risk to the travelling public.
“While we would prefer not to have to use our legal powers, we have been left with little option but to do so due to the increasing numbers of people and their bad behaviour. We are not targeting any one age group, or social group, and will apply our legal rights to anyone loitering without a proper purpose or acting in an intimidating or inappropriate manner.”
Inspector Bob McDonald of British Transport Police said: “British Transport Police supports Network Rail in implementing these measures. Passengers and staff should not have to be confronted by any kind of anti-social behaviour on the rail network and be able to use the station and go about their daily business normally and without hindrance.”
Notes to editors
Large crowds congregate at Glasgow Central between the hours of 1100 – 1700 on Saturdays and Sundays. They congregate on the concourse and at exits and entrances. This is a major concern to Network Rail for the following reasons: • It can impede passengers’ movement around the station and their ability to enter and exit the facility. • It can result in potential hazards for passengers and staff on the main concourse from discarded and spilled rubbish, including cans and bottles as well as food. • It can place an unnecessary additional workload on our station staff and cleaners who are diverted from their core duties to manage the crowds and clean up after them. • It can place railway staff in a position where they are subjected to verbal abuse or intimidation when trying to prevent anti-social behaviour within the station. • It can raise the level of public complaints at weekends from passengers and those wishing to use the station’s facilities who feel unable to do so due to the conduct of others.Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - Scotland
0141 555 4109
mediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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