Caledonian Sleeper staff are going to start wearing body cameras due to an increase in verbal abuse towards them. The iconic sleeper train, which connects London with various Scottish cities, will be spending about £200,000 to provide crew members with this technology.
According to a report in the Ross-shire Journal, a new public contract issued by Caledonian Sleeper Limited (CSL) highlighted the rise in verbal assaults on staff as the reason for this decision. The contract stated that 100 Body Worn Video Cameras (BWVC) will be needed, with an estimated cost of £200,000 over three years.
Kathryn Darbandi, the managing director of Caledonian Sleeper, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of both guests and the team. She mentioned that the decision to introduce body-worn video cameras was made in response to the trends seen across the rail industry.
A spokesperson from Transport Scotland also expressed support for this initiative, stating that any abuse towards public transport staff is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They stressed that everyone has the right to travel or work in the public transport system without fear of facing abuse.
Caledonian Sleeper is owned by Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd (SRH Ltd), which is under the ownership of the Scottish Government. The service was brought back into public ownership in June 2023 after the previous operator, Serco, had its contract terminated seven years early.
It’s worth noting that the Caledonian Sleeper is one of only two overnight services in the UK, the other being the Night Riviera from London to Penzance in Cornwall. The introduction of body cameras for staff members aims to enhance safety and security for both employees and passengers on board the sleeper train.
