More than 300 body-worn cameras (BWC) are being made available to frontline rail staff in Scotland.
The ScotRail Alliance has invested £300,000 in the devices, which can be clipped on to a member of staff’s uniform, or worn on a lanyard.
The cameras capture footage when they are activated by a member of staff and are capable of recording video and audio in high definition for up to eight hours.
The roll out follows a successful trial, where staff found that people positively changed their behaviour when informed that they were being recorded. Footage from cameras worn by staff has also been used in a number of prosecutions.
The BWC’s are clearly marked as CCTV cameras and have a 130-degree field of view.
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Staff will be encouraged to wear the new cameras, but it will not be compulsory.
The initiative has been delivered in partnership with Transport Scotland and trade unions ASLEF, RMT and TSSA. The aim of the role out is to continue to improve the safety of customers and staff, deter antisocial behaviour, and gather evidence when it does occur.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said: “Anti-social behaviour will never be tolerated at our stations, or on our trains.
“These new cameras will improve everyone’s journey by deterring anti-social or criminal behaviour, and help with gathering vital evidence on the rare occasions when it does occur.”
Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf added that, just as every passenger has the right to a safe journey, every worker has the absolute right to carry out their duties without the fear of verbal or physical assault.
In September, BTP rolled out body worn cameras to all our officers meaning that they have an independent witness by their side at every single incident.
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