Body cams ignore the main issue

Following on from the revelations that ScotRail is struggling to get even half of its trains to arrive on time at stations across the north, comes further news that is unlikely to endear it to its customers.

The embattled rail provider, run by Dutch transport company Abellio, has now said it is looking to give its staff body cameras in a bid to crackdown on rising threats against its staff.

While no one would ever advocate the threat of violence against people trying to do their job, surely the most sensible means of cutting threats is to provide a service that the paying customer is happy with.

Being unable to get a seat, no trolley service, trains that don’t arrive on time and dirty and uncomfortable carriages are all liable to lead to an increase in tension and frustration.

Provide a swift, clean, comfortable ride and, hey presto, the tension is likely to subside. So, is giving body cameras to citizens in this way a sensible move, or just the thin end of the wedge. What’s next? Bank staff with body cameras? John Lewis shop workers secretly filming you from their waistcoats?

We have some of the most intrusive scrutiny in the western world courtesy of the all-encompassing CCTV cameras that watch our every move. You can understand the need for monitoring of streets and police officers needing protection, but railway staff?

It seems that rather than deal with the cause of the frustration and provide customers with a great service, Abellio would rather ignore the issue and target the customer instead. Surely that sends the wrong signal?

“We have some of the most intrusive scrutiny in the western world”