A TEAM of rail safety officers will be patrolling trains in the Star area as part of a £1.8million project to increase rail passenger safety.

The scheme has been launched by British Transport Police (BTP) and South West Trains.

A team of 40 accredited Rail Community Officers (RCO) will be based across the South West Trains’ network.

Natalie Davison, spokesperson for BTP, said the teams would travel across the major routes from London to Alton – including Aldershot – and from London to Southampton – including Farnborough. A team will be based in Guildford.

She said: “If we’re getting lots of calls about youths congregating in a certain place, trespassing, drug-taking, it could be anything really, we’ll be targeting specific spots.”

Each team will work alongside a British Transport Police PC, overseen by an area Sergeant and overall Inspector.

Each RCO has passed a rigorous “accreditation” course, endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

It means they have similar powers to a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).

The new RCOs can:

• Issue British Transport Police penalty notices for offences such as trespass and graffiti;
• Seize alcohol from underage drinkers
• Deal with anti-social behaviour.

The RCOs are the successors to South West Trains’ TravelSafe Officers, which were the first of their kind in the country.

BTP Chief Superintendent Steve Morgan said: “This scheme is a fantastic enhancement of BTP’s policing presence on the railway and will provide further reassurance for passengers.

“By having specific teams targeting dedicated lines of route, passengers can be assured of seeing a higher visibility presence on the South West Trains system which we believe will make great inroads in further reducing crime.”

Ian Dobbs, South West Trains’ Chairman, said: “We take safety and security on our network very seriously and we believe this new scheme will improve both the travelling environment for our passengers and the working environment for our employees.”

The RCOs are recruited and trained by South West Trains and British Transport Police in partnership.

The RCO’s main role is to enforce the Railway Byelaws and provide support and assistance to passengers and staff ensuring that travelling with South West Trains is as safe as possible.

They will also take part in police operations to catch offenders and go into local schools to warn children of the problems caused by trespassing on the railway and anti-social behaviour on trains.