The Weymouth-Waterloo train operator has been recognised for the work it does to keep vulnerable people safe on the railway.

South Western Railway (SWR) has become the UK’s second train operator to achieve accreditation of the British Transport Police’s Safeguarding in Rail scheme.

In securing the accreditation, SWR set out its approach to: promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable people in need of help and support; reducing and preventing the likelihood of harm where possible; mitigating the impact and effects of harm; and training colleagues in ways to spot vulnerable people.

Central elements of the programme include clear policies, accountable leadership and a dedicated and ongoing programme of training for all staff. The announcement came on White Ribbon Day which promotes a mission to end violence against women and girls. As part of its overall approach to protecting vulnerable people, SWR has joined with others in the rail industry to support the campaign. The Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK, Anthea Sully, joined the Managing Director of South Western Railway, Claire Mann, at London Waterloo for an event highlighting SWR’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls in the industry. Also present at this special event were the Managing Director of the Department for Transport, Peter Wilkinson, and Assistant Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, Charlie Doyle.

The event saw the attendees discuss SWR’s approach to safeguarding with the company’s ‘safeguarding champions’. In support of White Ribbon, SWR dressed their Desiro trains with bespoke White Ribbon Day liveries to help spread the anti-domestic violence message across the rail network.

Claire Mann, alongside the other colleagues and volunteers from the railway industry, as well as members of the public, also signed a promise to help end violence against women and girls.

She said: “We are proud to have achieved British Transport Police’s Safeguarding in Rail accreditation, reflecting the important work that so many colleagues have done to ensure that we do all we can to help protect vulnerable people on our railway. “Safeguarding is something we take incredibly seriously, and that is why we are also pleased to support the vital work of White Ribbon UK to end violence against women and girls."