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2008-12-19 DfT-001
Department for Transport
New police powers crack down on yobbish behaviour
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DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 19 December 2008
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Press release
Department for Transport
New police powers crack down on yobbish behaviour
Yobs who cause misery for other passengers by smoking, drinking or causing a nuisance on the railways will face on-the-spot fines under new police powers, Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced today.
Currently the British Transport Police can warn or arrest anti-social passengers - but new penalties, to be introduced in the new year (subject to Parliamentary approval), will give them a third option of issuing a £50 fine.
Andrew Adonis said:
"Passengers have the right to travel in peace on the rail network and should not have to put up with people smoking, drinking alcohol excessively and causing a nuisance - these new penalties are designed to crack down specifically on this sort of conduct."
The new penalties are being introduced as the Government extends its Penalty Notice for Disorder Scheme.
The scheme is intended to free up the police's time from dealing with low-level bad behaviour and designed as a more efficient way of dealing with offenders rather than arresting them, charging them and then taking the case through the courts.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter, of the British Transport Police, said:
"The ability to issue penalty notices for these new offences will give officers another weapon in their armoury to continue driving down anti-social behaviour.
"We know that penalty notices prove a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and will save valuable police time, allowing us to have a greater visible uniformed presence on the rail system. However for the more serious crimes our officers will continue to arrest and lock up offenders."
Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, Passenger Focus said:
"Passengers often tell us that security on both the station and trains is a concern in some areas of Great Britain. We welcome today's announcement which will offer another layer of protection for passengers and could act as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour on the railway network."
Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said:
"People should be able to travel by train peacefully as well as comfortably. This is a welcome initiative which complements the investments train operators have made to ensure rail travel is as secure as possible for all rail passengers."
Railnews Archive ::: 2008-12-19 DfT-001
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