SECURITY is being tightened up at York Railway Station and on National Express East Coast trains with the introduction of new staff to tackle fare-dodgers and crime.

Fourteen railway enforcement officers employed by the train operator will patrol stations and trains along the East Coast Main Line in England, working alongside the British Transport Police (BTP) in combating problems such as antisocial behaviour.

The Railway Safety Accreditation Scheme was hailed as a “massive achievement” by BTP Inspector Robin Edwards, who has been seconded to National Express East Coast as revenue protection manager for the project.

“The new officers will help us police the network and make the East Coast one of the UK’s safest railways,” he said.

He said the officers, who would wear uniforms, but of a different style to the BTP, would not have powers to arrest people, beyond those of the ordinary citizen.

However, they would have powers to eject passengers from trains using reasonable force and issue summons to take people to court.

They would also:

* Conduct highly visible uniformed patrols to counter public disorder, fare evasion and minimise risks to public safety

* Undertake minor crime investigations, including taking crime reports, statement and seizing and preserving evidence

* Ensure railway byelaws were observed

* Prepare written statements of evidence and attend court to support prosecutions where necessary.

National Express East Coast managing director Susan Goldsmith said: “While the railway remains a safe and pleasant way to travel, we can never be complacent and this scheme sends a clear message to the small minority who commit crime that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated on trains or stations.”

Alan Pacey, Assistant Chief Constable of British Transport Police, said the scheme was a “fantastic opportunity” for train operators such as National Express East Coast to work in partnership with the BTP to create a safer and more secure railway.

It would also offer passengers peace of mind that there are trained railway enforcement officers at hand to combat crime and disorder.

Insp Edwards said the initiative was being set up using powers created in the Police Reform Act of 2002.

Under the scheme, accreditation was awarded to the train operating company, which then granted limited powers to its employees, aimed at providing a better quality of life in the railway community.