Future Rail Safety: Trends, Tech & Safeguarding Conference 2025

Rail Industry Leaders Unite to Fortify Passenger Safety at National Safeguarding Conference 2025

In a proactive move to enhance safety and security across the national rail network, senior figures from the British Transport Police (BTP), youth outreach organizations, and rail operators convened at the National Safeguarding Conference 2025. The event, held on May 29th at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, was hosted jointly by South Western Railway (SWR) and Southeastern Railway. This critical gathering addressed pressing issues, shared best practices, and reinforced safeguarding protocols to protect passengers and railway staff. The conference’s primary objective was to strengthen collaboration and foster a united front against vulnerabilities faced by women, young people, and individuals in crisis. The conference, themed ‘Safeguarding our Railway, Stronger Together’, provided a platform to examine emerging threats and devise robust strategies for creating a safer railway environment for everyone.

A United Front: Collaboration and Strategic Alignment

The conference emphasized the critical importance of a collaborative approach to safeguarding. Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer of SWR, highlighted this, stating, “This isn’t the responsibility of just one person, one team, or one business. By learning from each other, we’ll build on the progress we have made to ensure everyone feels safe on the railway.” Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern, echoed this sentiment, adding, “This conference is an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other and ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect passengers and colleagues.” This collaborative ethos underscores the recognition that effective safeguarding requires a coordinated effort across multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement, rail operators, and community support organizations.

Addressing Key Vulnerabilities: Focus Areas and Expert Insights

The National Safeguarding Conference 2025 focused on a range of critical safety challenges, including youth vulnerability, violence against women and girls (VAWG), mental health concerns, missing persons cases, and the evolving role of technology in public safety. Keynote speakers and expert panels provided in-depth analysis of these issues, offering practical insights and innovative solutions. Robin Gisby, Chief Executive of DfT Operator, delivered an address, bringing his extensive experience to bear on the challenges. This comprehensive approach demonstrated the railway industry’s commitment to addressing complex and multifaceted issues, ensuring that protection strategies are informed by the latest research and best practices.

Proactive Measures: Railway Operators Leading the Way

SWR and Southeastern are taking proactive measures to improve passenger and staff safety. SWR’s initiatives include 89 safeguarding champions, a Safety and Security app, established safe spaces within stations, and partnerships with organizations like Missing People. This multi-faceted approach aligns with the company’s commitment to proactively addressing vulnerabilities. SWR has also been awarded 100% Safeguarding on Rail Scheme accreditation from British Transport Police for two consecutive years, demonstrating their commitment to excellence. Meanwhile, Southeastern has developed a five-year Joint Safeguarding Strategy with BTP and Network Rail, established the UK’s first dedicated rail safeguarding team, and awarded 110 Life Saver Awards. Their upcoming campaign, ‘No Abuse. No Excuse’, reinforces a zero-tolerance approach to abuse on the network, sending a clear message that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

Conclusion

The National Safeguarding Conference 2025 marked a significant step forward in the rail industry’s commitment to passenger and staff safety. By bringing together key stakeholders, including law enforcement, youth outreach, and rail operators, the event facilitated the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and collaborative strategies. The emphasis on addressing youth vulnerability, VAWG, mental health, and the role of technology underscores the industry’s understanding of the complex challenges. The proactive initiatives of SWR and Southeastern, including the Safe Spaces program, Safeguarding Champions, and the implementation of a five-year Safeguarding Strategy, set a positive precedent for future safety initiatives. Looking ahead, the conference’s success highlights the importance of ongoing collaboration and the need to proactively evolve safeguarding protocols to meet emerging threats, ultimately creating a safer and more secure railway environment for everyone. The industry must continue to invest in training, technology, and partnerships to build on this momentum and ensure the wellbeing of all those who use the railway network.

Company Summary:

South Western Railway (SWR) and Southeastern Railway are key passenger rail operators in Britain. SWR, a prominent operator serving the South Western region of England, is known for its extensive network and commitment to passenger experience. Southeastern operates services in London and South East England and is committed to providing safe, reliable, and accessible services. Both companies are part of the wider rail network and operate under franchise agreements with the Department for Transport (DfT). Their participation in this conference reflects their shared commitment to industry safety and improving the railway experience.