Crime
The Department for Transport (DfT) aims to reduce crime and fear of crime on public transport by encouraging our partners and operators to work together in developing, disseminating and evaluating good practice in crime reduction initiatives.
British Transport Police (BTP)
The British Transport Police is the national police force for the railways, providing a police service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
The BTP is also responsible for policing the London Underground system, the Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro Tram System and Croydon Tramlink.
The BTP Authority was established on 1 July 2004 under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. The Authority, which is classified as an executive Non Departmental Public Body of the Department for Transport, has a statutory duty to maintain an efficient and effective police force for the railways.
The BTP is funded by the rail industry and the Authority is responsible for setting its annual budget. The Chair of the Authority and other members, consisting of a mix of industry and nonindustry members, are appointed directly by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Bus drivers
The safer travel on buses and coaches panel (STOP) has been formed to look at ways to reduce assaults, antisocial behaviour and vandalism on vehicles, at stops and stations and property.
Recognising the safety issues involved for bus drivers whose job it is to drive a bus while taking responsibility for schoolchildren, we commissioned research and developed ‘The School Run training programme’, designed to help bus drivers manage situations of conflict as well as address schoolchildren’s perception of acceptable behaviour on buses.
Bus crime
- Protecting bus and coach crews, 12 January 2004
- Protecting bus and coach crews: A quick reference guide, 18 November 2005
Personal security across the whole journey
A qualitative analysis of passenger perceptions of measures introduced to enhance personal security while travelling on public transport, including their awareness of the measures and of any accompanying publicity, and factors which enhance or inhibit the success of these measures.
Personal security of taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers
Taxi and PHV drivers often have to work in isolated places, at night, deal with strangers and carry cash, all of which makes them particularly vulnerable to violence. This section contains guidance notes for taxi and PHV drivers on measures they can take to stay safe.
- Research on the personal security issues for taxi and PHV drivers – Executive summary
- Staying safe: guidance for taxi drivers
- Staying safe: guidance for private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers
Railway stations
Our Secure Stations Scheme provides an incentive for station operators to improve security and reduce the public’s fear of crime at overground and underground rail stations. Launched in 1998 the scheme accredits individual stations which work with the British Transport Police (BTP) and partners in order to meet set standards in implementing security measures.
Secure Stations Scheme
The Secure Stations Scheme is designed to improve and standardise good security practices at overground and underground stations.
- Secure Stations Scheme list of accredited stations
- Secure Station Scheme frequently asked questions
- Secure Stations Scheme
To become an accredited station, each station operator needs to work with their local British Transport Police Crime Reduction Officer to ensure that their station meets the national standards on design and management to cut down crime. Operators also have to conduct an independent passenger survey to see whether passengers feel safe at the station and provide evidence that crime rates are low. If successful, the station will be accredited as a Secure Station for two years. After the two years the operator may apply for reaccreditation.
