More rail staff to wear cameras amid rising abuse

Abuse has a significant impact on railway workers, according to South Western Railway

More railway staff will wear body-worn cameras in a bid to tackle rising violence and abuse, it has been announced.

South Western Railway said it was expanding the use of body-worn cameras for frontline workers, including train guards and gateline assistants.

It comes after the number of reported violent incidents and public order offences doubled between 2020-21 and 2024-25, according to British Transport Police.

Jane Lupson, safety and security director for South Western Railway, said the cameras would deter bad behaviour and aid prosecutions.

"The rise in abuse is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated," she said.

"Keeping people safe on our railway is always our number one priority."

South Western Railway are also launching a campaign poster

The rail firm said it had recorded more than two assaults every day across its network so far this year.

It added that such incidents could have a "significant impact" on staff's mental and physical wellbeing, even requiring them to take time off to recover.

Body-worn video cameras can reduce the likelihood of assault against the wearer by 47%, according to a study.

South Western Railway said it was also launching a poster campaign to alert people to the use of wearable cameras and warn potential perpetrators.