Introduction

On 15 May 2024, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport hosted a roundtable discussion with representatives from SRT, BTP, NR, SRH, all four rail trade unions, passenger representatives, a researcher of women’s safety and White Ribbon Scotland to explore the issue of antisocial behaviour on Scotland’s railway and how this could be addressed.

This collaborative meeting led to the development of a suite of initiatives to tackle and prevent antisocial behaviour, this included the formation of a Working Group to review police enforcement powers and where these can be strengthened or enhanced to tackle antisocial behaviour on Scotland’s railway.

The Group was Chaired by Damian Briody, Head of Rail Delivery, Transport Scotland, with Secretariat support provided by the rail policy team. Representatives from the Scottish Government’s Safer Communities and Justice Directorates supported the Group by providing insight into the wider policy and legal context throughout the series of meetings.

External stakeholders included representatives from SRT, BTP, SRH, NR, RMT, ASLEF, TSSA, Unite and COPFS. A full list of Group members can be found within the Terms of Reference at Annex A of this report.

The external members provided the firsthand experience and knowledge of existing enforcement powers and antisocial behaviour on Scotland’s railway. This led to insightful discussions which highlighted where there are gaps in understanding of when, and how, enforcement powers can be applied, where these powers need strengthened and how individuals are subsequently prosecuted after powers have been enforced.

The recommendations represent the independent nature of the Group and have been agreed by the external members. The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland will work collaboratively to explore the feasibility of the outputs once Scottish Ministers have fully considered them.

This report provides a brief overview of the series of meetings and the basis for the recommendations.