The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rail staff get cameras to guard against attack
Assaults: Privacy campaigner fears
Rail staff in Scotland are to be equipped with body cameras as part of a crackdown against passenger aggression.
ScotRail is looking at deploying 230 of the devices for its frontline workers to protect them from physical and verbal attacks. It follows a proposed national roll-out of the cameras by Police Scotland.
According to British Transport Police, there were 197 arrests for physical and verbal assaults against rail staff last year.
But last night privacy campaigners warned the roll-out of the cameras “should be met with caution”.
The rail operator is seeking bidders to supply and maintain the cameras and the monitoring system over three years following a trial in 2015.
That was held in response to a rise in assaults on staff, which rail bosses maintain is an ongoing problem.
A ScotRail Alliance spokeswoman said: “These cameras will help to make the working environment as safe as possible for all staff and customers.
“We do not tolerate violence of any kind on the railway and will do everything to assist British Transport Police in investigating any incidents and these cameras are a tool to help us do so.”
ScotRail insisted the cameras would only be activated during antisocial behaviour incidents, adding that, while staff will be encouraged to wear them, use will be optional and targeted in aggression hot spots.
Rail chiefs refused to reveal the value of the tender, but said costs will be offset in part by reducing sick leave.
Renate Samson, the chief executive of Big Brother Watch, claimed the roll-out of the devices by ScotRail “should be met with caution”.
She added: “Whilst many public bodies are deploying these intrusive surveillance tools, the evidence to support their use remains uncertain.
“Staff wearing the technology must be trained to use the cameras correctly and must, without fail, ensure passengers are clear if they are being recorded.
“Research exists to show that attacks on staff can actually increase if the public are unclear when they are being filmed.”
Body-worn cameras have been used by police in the north-east for several years. Police Scotland chiefs, who hail their evidential value, are considering a national roll-out.
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”