02.12.13
Police to tackle unwanted sexual behaviour on railway
A week-long operation targeting unwanted sexual behaviour on the rail network is being run by the British Transport Police (BTP), aimed at tackling the most serious crimes as well as more minor harassment that might otherwise go unreported.
Operation Centurion will run this week in support of an Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) nationally coordinated initiative. Additional officers will work at key stations and on board trains to tackle inappropriate behaviour.
Superintendent Nicki Watson, who is co-ordinating BTP’s activity, said: “Our officers will be conducting plain clothes and high-visibility patrols on the rail and tube network in a bid to tackle inappropriate sexual behaviour.
“We want victims to have the confidence to report these types of incidents to us and know that they will be taken seriously.
“If someone has made you feel uncomfortable on your journey – however minor it may seem to you – reporting it to police can help us target the perpetrator and prevent it happening to another passenger.”
This summer the BTP launched Project Guardian, an anti-harassment campaign on the Tube aimed at raising awareness around unwanted sexual behaviour and cracking down on perpetrators.
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Image c. J D Mack