South-Western Rail Staff Wear Body Cameras After Assault Cases Surge

Published on: 19 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 19 Sep, 2025

SWR body-worn video camera. BBC

By Isabelle Trubshaw

SWR has extended the use of body-worn video cameras to all its frontline colleagues, including train guards and gate staff, after a surge in “unacceptable” assault cases.

Since 2020-21, the number of daily assaults has doubled, with reports of more than two assaults per day, reports British Transport Police (BTP).

These incidents, the railway company reports, not only impact the workers’ mental and physical wellbeing, but also the rail’s operation system, which is being weakened as colleagues request recovery time.

SWR Poster campaign. SWR

Jane Lupson, Safety and Security Director for South Western Railway, said: “The rise in abuse directed against our colleagues is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

SWR says the rise is likely down to its better reporting system initiated by a new colleague app in collaboration with the BTP but admits that similar trends of assault are visible across the public sector.

“The introduction of body-worn video cameras will help deter anyone thinking of abusing a colleague and help prosecute those who do”, Lupson reports.

The devices record footage up to 30 seconds prior to being activated, giving police video evidence if a case goes to court.

A study published by the University of Cambridge, funded by the Rail Delivery Group and BTP, estimated that wearable cameras can reduce the probability of an assault by 47 per cent.

SWR Body-worn Cameras. SWR

Guildford commuters are also set to notice SWR’s new “striking” poster campaign displayed around the station.

The posters depict incidents of abuse through body-cameras, and scenes of perpetrators facing legal prosecution.

Following a similar campaign launched last year, these posters are designed to warn perpetrators of the cameras and deter abusive behaviour toward customer-facing staff.

“We hope this striking new campaign will remind potential perpetrators of the consequences of abuse, for colleagues and for them”, Lupson comments.

SWR has demonstrated its commitment to the safety of its customers and colleagues, by achieving 100 per cent for BTP’s Safeguarding on Rail scheme two years running.

Lupson reminds us: “Keeping people safe on our railway is always our number one priority, not least our colleagues who serve our customers with care every day.”