Great Western Railway (GWR) – Anti-Social Behaviour

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/284/24

26^th November 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (GWR) – ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

 

Further to Head Office Circular NP/224/24, dated 19^th September 2024, I received two reports from your lead officer on the continuous issues of anti-social behaviour on the Taunton – Bristol corridor of the Great Western Railway route (namely the Western Super Mare area). 

 

An emergency Joint Safety Committee took place with the company to identify where these incidents were taking place, who were committing these offences and more importantly what the company was doing to support members through mitigations.

 

What started as minor anti-social behaviour (throwing rubbish, shouting) had progressed to spitting, verbal abuse, pulling of egress handles and jumping onto the track. A much more dangerous situation was emerging, where members were being physically assaulted, passengers being attacked and reports that weapons were now being carried by youths, as reported to GWR control and management. 

 

A further meeting took place with the company to discuss what mitigations and measures it is taking in order to protect members. 

 

The company has employed 'Mobile Land Sheriffs' to board known problems services to support and assist the guard on identified 'problem trains.'

 

The company has committed to re-briefing its control staff on its 'Safe Stop' procedure (workplace procedure) and to send a communication to all employees advising that there will be NO repercussions nor disciplinaryaction taken against members should you choose to evoke the procedure during your turn of duty. 

 

RMT has also received commitments from the company it is looking to obtain additional funding from the Department for Transport for more staff to accompany members on problematic trains. 

 

Finally, with the ever-evolving nature of this issue, RMT has now received assurances from GWR that it will be meeting on a weekly basis to assess the situation, with ad-hoc discussions if/ when the situation develops. 

 

At its meeting on 21^st November 2024 your National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved as follows:

 

We note the reports from the lead officer, for which he is thanked.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to share appropriate information with all GWR members.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. As per Head Office Circular NP/224/24 I will continue to prepare a ballot matrix of our affected Great Western Railway members, noting that this will also cover all on board staff at London Paddington, Bristol, Exeter and Cardiff as well as station grades in Weston-Super -Mare, Bristol and Taunton.

 

Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Let me again take this opportunity to further encourage members to report incidents and advise you of the right to invoke the Safe-Stop procedure if faced with an imminent threat. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary