More support teams to help keep rail passengers and revellers safe at Birmingham New Street station are being introduced during this year’s Frankfurt Christmas markets.
Since the summer, St John’s Ambulance volunteers* and a dedicated anti-social behaviour team** have been based in the station during busy weekend nights on a trial basis. It's helped tackle anti-social behaviour, such as drunken behaviour and begging, which otherwise would've tied up British Transport Police resources, and get speedier first aid for anyone needing medical treatment in Britain’s busiest station outside of London.
Since the start of the trial until the beginning of October, the anti-social behaviour team dealt with more than 1,000 incidents. The initial success means both trials are being extended into November and December to support Network Rail station staff and British Transport Police during the busiest periods of the Christmas markets which started yesterday (Thursday 2 November).
Once again passengers using Birmingham New Street station are being urged to ‘think in threes’ in the run up to Christmas. Millions of people are expected to visit Birmingham to see the stalls and attractions until 24 December.
Network Rail is advising rail travellers to follow these three tips for the smoothest journey possible.
- Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk
- Take an earlier train home – later services will be extremely busy
- Respect staff and other travellers during the season of goodwill
Craig Stenning, Birmingham New Street station manager, said: “All we want is for people to enjoy the Christmas season and get to where they need to be safely, so it’s great we have extra support from the anti-social behaviour team and St John’s Ambulance during the busiest time of year for our hardworking teams at New Street.
“While we’re doing our bit, I’d please ask passengers to do theirs, and follow our three golden rules to make their journeys as smooth and pleasant as possible. There will be extra staff in place across the station to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout the festive season.”
While the Christmas markets and attractions are a great addition to the city, it can mean trains and platforms are much busier at the station. As with previous years, queuing systems may be used at exceptionally busy times to safely allow people to board their trains home.
*Since July 2023, St John Ambulance teams have also been supporting the station on Friday and Saturday nights when the station is busiest and most accidents occur.
**The anti-social behaviour trial, in partnership with Birmingham City Council, started in August this year and has already proved successful in reducing anti-social behaviour across the station. The teams have powers to confiscate alcohol, issue enforcement notices CPWs & CPN’s (Community Protection Warning & Community Protection Notices), PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) forcing people to leave the station premises and not return for 24 hours.
In addition to these trials, staff at New Street station have also been given the opportunity to wear body worn cameras as part of a new initiative to help combat anti-social behaviour and staff abuse at the station. The bodycams, which are optional for staff currently, may be worn to help protect themselves, customers and their colleagues.
