TRANSPORT MINISTER MOVES TO CLAMP DOWN ON TROUBLE ON LOCAL TRAINS

by Bill Heaney

Dumbarton Central is a frightening place to arrive in after dark with no staff on duty there and no police officers in sight.

Former Scottish Labour MSP and retired trade union official Richard Leonard asked the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the issue of assaults against transport workers.

And there have been extremely worrying reports of youths lurking menacingly in dark corners of the station which a Democrat reporter witnessed on returning to Dumbarton by train from Oban.

Passengers are reticent about getting off the train at Dumbarton Central where rowdy football supporters returning to Oban from matches in Glasgow regularly cause trouble for Scotrail staff on the trains.

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop told MSPs at Holyrood on Thursday: “Assaults against transport workers are never acceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Minister Fiona Hyslop, Sharon Dowie MSP and MSP GMB official Richard Leonard.

She added: “This month, I helped launch the respect our rail workers campaign, which pledges that partner organisations will work together to ensure that staff feel more protected and supported when they are faced with unacceptable behaviour.

“We have convened a working group to examine police enforcement powers on the railway and to strengthen responses to unacceptable behaviour.

“We are also working with Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to review existing fixed-penalty notice legislation.

“I have also written to the British Transport Police Authority to express my concerns about its budget cuts to Scotland, which were not consulted on or agreed to.”

Richard Leonard told Ms Hyslop: “Violence on our rail network is on the rise, and transport workers are in particular danger. British Transport Police has reported a 43 per cent increase in assaults against rail workers in Scotland between April and September this year, compared to the same period last year.

“When I met workers from rail, ferries and the taxi trade just last week, they described to me assaults at work that no one—no one—should face, and all this is happening at a time when the British Transport Police is reducing jobs and station coverage.

“So, will the cabinet secretary act to end unsafe lone working practices on ScotRail and make sure that minimum safe staffing levels are met? Will she support the creation of a stand-alone offence for assaulting a public transport worker, similar to existing protections for other high-risk sectors like retail?”

Fiona Hyslop said: “I have raised my concerns about the situation with the British Transport Police—indeed, I wrote to it on 15 December. Part of the action that I am taking, along with our rail authorities, is to look at an enhanced police service agreement. That should not be needed, but we are prepared to take such action.

“As for further legislation, the working group that I mentioned is bringing people together, including the unions. I work with the unions on a regular basis, and they are pleased with the activity that has been taking place through the group, which is looking at a number of issues including fixed-penalty notices, banning orders, greater protections for rail workers and youth justice. We are working with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, too.

“The measures that Richard Leonard has set out would involve my working with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and the member has my full assurance that we are taking the matter extremely seriously.”

Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey told parliament: “Recent reports from across Scotland highlight a rise in antisocial behaviour, and not just on our transport network. The reason for that is simple: there is no deterrent in place.

“There are hardly any consequences for perpetrators, and they know it. How can the cabinet secretary assure transport workers and the public that those responsible will face real consequences? Just writing a letter and having more talking shops will not cut it.”

Fiona Hyslop replied: “I do not think that Sharon Dowey listened to my first answer, in which I talked about looking at legislation on fixed-penalty notices and what can be done in relation to enforcement. Enforcement is an operational matter for Police Scotland.

“However, in terms of visibility, we are looking at having more workers on our transport network and at the idea of safety officers, particularly on our bus network.

“There is also the legislation that has just been laid before the Parliament on the enforcement of bus pass suspension measures.

“Those are all actions that are being taken by our Government. We are also providing funding to Police Scotland to allow it to do what Sharon Dowey is asking for—that is, its job, which is all about enforcing existing legislation.”

Top of page: Dumbarton Central Station which is unsupervised after dark.