The Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme (RSAS) allows
organisations and their employees involved in railway safety and
security to be accredited by the police. It grants accredited
people limited powers and aims to provide a better quality of life
in the railway community, helping to coordinate visible patrols and
information sharing.
Accredited people work for a range of organisations that have
achieved accreditation, eg. train operating companies or private
security companies. They do a valuable job in reassuring the public
and contributing to the fight against crime, disorder and
anti-social behaviour. They wear the uniform of their employing
organisations with an approved badge in red, white and black on the
chest area of all outer clothing. They should also have a name
badge or identification number on their uniform and carry an
identification card, which confirms the powers they can
exercise.
Accredited people are employed by the organisation that has been
accredited. An organisation must satisfy strict criteria before
they can be awarded accredited status. Individuals receive training
in different areas of law including human rights, diversity
and equal opportunities.The police are not directly involved in the
control of their roles or day-to-day activities.
Accreditation powers
People who are accredited may exercise some or all of the
following powers:
- request the name and address for fixed penalty notice
offences
- request the name and address for fixed penalty notice
offences
- request the name and address for offences that cause injury,
alarm and distress to another person
or damage or loss of another’s property
- request the name and address of a person acting in an
anti-social manner
- confiscate alcohol from young people
- confiscate cigarettes and tobacco products from young
people
- issue a penalty notice for trespassing on the railway
- issue a penalty notice for consumption of alcohol in a
designated public place
- issue a penalty notice for behaviour likely to cause
harassment, alarm or distress
Offences against accredited people:
- to fail or refuse to provide an accredited person with your
name and address
- to assault or obstruct an accredited person or person helping
them