Great Western Railway (GWR) - Anti-Social Behaviour

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular NP/224/24

19^th September 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY (GWR) – ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

 

Following receipt of a report from the lead officer an email and text message was sent out to relevant members, as follows:

 

Great Western Railway (GWR): escalation of anti-social incidents - West Region (numerous locations)

 

It has recently been brought to my attention that there has been a worrying increase in the number of instances of anti-social behaviour/vandalism at several locations across the West region of the GWR network.

 

These instances have understandably caused a great deal of stress and anxiety amongst both our stations and on-board grade members some of whom have unfortunately been assaulted whilst carrying out their duties.

 

RMT will take all necessary measures to support our members in these circumstances and as such I have written to GWR to request an urgent meeting to discuss these issues further.

 

I will of course keep you informed of any further developments in relation to this matter.

 

Should you require any further information at all then please do not hesitate to contact RMT.

 

 

Further to this, a resolution were received from your Exeter Rail branch as follows:

 

Anti-Social Behaviour Resolution

 

We the members of Exeter Rail branch welcome the recent communication from the General Secretary regarding anti-social behaviour in the West. We are deeply concerned about the increase in threats to members working at GWR from antisocial and criminal behaviour by groups of young people, in particular between Taunton/Bristol and the Exmouth Line.

 

This has included our members being physically and verbally assaulted, spat at and threatened, with members feeling unsafe at work.

 

We ask that the NEC support our members at the emergency meeting by demanding the following: 

 

1. Establish a single point of contact within GWR to take lead responsibility for antisocial behaviour, and for that person to provide frequent and detailed updates to the Union's safety representatives.
2. Provide competent security operatives at stations and to travel onboard trains in the problem areas.
3. A commitment to double staff trains between Bristol and Taunton from 21.00 until end of service.
4. GWR to apply pressure to the British Transport Police to add more resources and to provide visible policing in the West.

 

 

At its meeting on 10^th September 2024 your National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved as follows:

 

We note the resolution from our Exeter branch and thank them.

 

Further, we note the serious concerns raised in it and accordingly instruct the General Secretary to obtain an urgent report from the Lead Officer to be placed before the NEC.

 

Relevant branches and regional councils to be advised.

 

 

A further report was received from the lead officer, together with a resolution from yourBristol branch as follows:

Anti-sociable Behaviour Taunton to Bristol Temple Meads

This branch is concerned over the reoccurring instances of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the Taunton to Bristol Temple Meads area which has been allowed to continue for a number of months. 

 

This is having a significant impact on our members at Great Western Railway, CrossCountry Trains and Network Rail. They have had to suffer a great deal of stress and anxiety whilst some of whom have unfortunately been assaulted whilst carrying out their duties. The impact is resulting in members being unwilling to work rest days, being off sick and being concerned for their own safety when coming into the workplace.

 

We have also seen debris placed on the railway track in these areas which is a serious safety risk to both our members and to the passengers. The debris has included scaffolding poles and large bricks. These are serious attempts to derail a train.

 

We ask that the NEC instructs the General Secretary to write to Great Western Railway and Network Rail to request:

l Reinstatement of security at Bridgwater Station from mid-morning until close of service 7 days a week.

l Increased patrols from British Transport Police on known targeted services.

l Increased support from management and/or revenue colleagues onboard and at stations where problems are known to arise.

l Double crewing of Network Rail response colleagues operating within the area.

l Bringing forward Great Western Railway plans for Rail Enforcement Officers.

We also ask that the NEC instructs the General Secretary to write to the Transport Secretary Louise Haigh highlighting these serious safety concerns and the significant increase of anti-sociable behaviour across the railway network in general and ask the assistance of the Transport Secretary in tackling the issues on the railway network at a national level.

 

 

At its meeting on 17^th September 2024 your National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved as follows:

 

We note the resolution from our Bristol Rail branch and thank them. We also note the report from the Lead Officer and an update from Great Western Railway dated 11 September 2024, which has been issued to staff concerning the increase in antisocial instances. 

 

Further, we note the serious concerns raised in this instance and accordingly instruct the General Secretary: 

 

• To write to Great Western Railway seeking assurances in line with the Exeter Rail and Bristol Branch resolutions. 

 

• To send an update to our Great Western Railway to inform them of the latest developments, further encourage members to report incidents, and advise members of the right to invoke the Safe-Stop procedure if faced with an imminent threat. 

 

• To prepare a ballot matrix of our affected Great Western Railway members 

 

• And to place further back before this NEC for further consideration. 

 

Relevant members, branches and regional councils are to be advised by text and email. 

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

 

Let me 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