Regional trains operator, First North Western, is launching a package of initiatives designed to deter anti-social behavior and improve safety for their passengers and staff.

Measures include DNA swabbing kits and panic alarms being issued to front-line staff, as well as a campaign to raise customer awareness of how they are tackling security issues.

Historically, it has been difficult to catch or convict those responsible for anti-social behavior due to lack of evidence. The DNA swabbing kit is being issued by FNW, in conjunction with the British Transport Police, to its front-line staff, in a bid to catch those who spit at staff. The kit is used to retrieve saliva from the victim’s skin and then this evidence can be used to search for the offender on the national DNA database. If found, the culprit can then be prosecuted in court.

Following a successful trial earlier this year, panic alarms are to be issued to over 1600 customer-facing staff, as they are proving to be a useful deterrent against unruly behaviour on our trains.

FNW’s Safety Manager, Martyn Guiver, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we are constantly looking for ways to improve security on our services. This new package of initiatives demonstrates our zero tolerance of any anti-social behaviour towards our staff and our commitment to prosecuting any individuals involved in such incidents”.

The customer awareness poster campaign has been launched at stations across the North West to communicate FNW’s policies regarding the security of their passengers and staff on the trainline.

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