NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release 11 August, 2003

No police powers for rail staff, says TSSA

The UK's second biggest rail union TSSA is critical of Government plans togive rail staff policing powers.

Transport minister Kim Howells is planning to allow selected staff limitedpolice powers to deal with anti-social behaviour such as littering,trespassing and alcohol consumption on the railway.

New powers would allow selected staff to require the name and address ofpeople behaving in an anti-social manner or enforce laws relating todrinking and smoking on trains.

The union is urging the Government to think twice before introducing the"Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme" as it may put staff health and safetyat risk.

TSSA is fearful that its members - who include ticket inspectors and stationsupervisors - will be forced to perform the duties of police officers withinsufficient training or accountability.

The union believes that rail staff will be exposed to greater risk ofviolence when dealing with the difficult situations which may be demanded ofthem under the new proposals.

TSSA General Secretary Richard Rosser said: "Policing the railways is therole of the British Transport Police, not our members. Some staff alreadyhave basic powers to issue fixed penalty fines to passengers who do not havea ticket. This is difficult enough and we would question any attempts toextend it.

"What the railway needs is more transport police, not to place this extraresponsibility on the shoulders of station staff.

"Our research confirms that attacks and violence at work are already a majorhealth and safety concern for rail staff. Forcing staff to intervene inconfrontational situations will only increase this."

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Notes to Editors
1. TSSA represents 33,000 members in administrative, clerical,managerial, professional and technical jobs in the railways, buses, theLondon Underground, the travel trade, canals, ports and ferries, and roadhaulage.