Alcohol education charity Drinkaware is supporting Network Rail ahead of the festive season, by delivering training sessions to staff at some of the country’s busiest rail stations, equipping them to recognise and support people who may be vulnerable after drinking alcohol.
The training is part of Network Rail’s response to a 17% increase in the number of alcohol related incidents reported on the railway in December 2017¹. They are urging festive party-goers to look after themselves, friends and colleagues when travelling on the railway, and are working with British Transport Police to hold alcohol awareness events at rail stations across the country, encouraging revellers to be a ‘First Class Mate’ and look out for those making their way home by train after one drink too many.
The Drinkaware training for Network Rail staff will include key elements of the Drinkaware Crew scheme and the Alcohol Vulnerability Awareness e-learning programme, which were both designed to give customer-facing staff the skills and knowledge to identify alcohol-related vulnerability and support customers at risk from harm. The training will take place at Birmingham New Street, Leeds, London St Pancras, London Bridge, London Victoria and Glasgow stations.
Elaine Hindal, Drinkaware Chief Executive said: “Christmas is a time when many people find themselves drinking more than they normally would.
“That’s why it’s vital that we all look after ourselves and each other on a night out and why we are delighted to be working with Network Rail on this important campaign.
“Drinkaware’s vulnerability training and Drinkaware Crew scheme are designed to equip employees to provide support to people on nights out and have been successful in helping organisations reduce alcohol related harm across the UK.
“No one is saying that people shouldn’t go out and have fun over Christmas. For those who choose to drink, we recommend keeping the Chief Medical Advisers’ low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units per week in mind, staying warm, staying safe and looking after yourself and your friends.”
Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, explains: “We want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves over the festive period, but after a few drinks people often take greater risks, which can frequently lead to people getting hurt or even killed. We are urging passengers to take care of themselves and their friends and not let drink be the cause of bad decisions.”
Drinkaware Crew was initially designed for bars and clubs with a 500+ capacity and has been activated in 21 areas across the country. The training has also been adapted for other environments where people may be vulnerable after drinking too much, including the Splendour Festival in Nottingham in July and the ‘Pace Yourself Plus’ initiative developed with The Racecourse Association and implemented at a number of high-profile racing events this year.
To find out more about the Network Rail campaign, go to www.networkrail.co.uk/firstclassmate
- 24/11/2015 to 02/01/2016 – 533 01A Violence offences recorded as having been committed ‘in station’ in England, Scotland and Wales; 83 offences flagged as ‘alcohol related’
24/11/2016 to 02/01/2017 – 673 01A Violence offences recorded as having been committed ‘in station’ in England, Scotland and Wales; 105 offences flagged as ‘alcohol related’
24/11/2017 to 02/01/2018 – 785 01A Violence offences recorded as having been committed ‘in station’ in England, Scotland and Wales; 189 offences flagged as ‘alcohol related’
Data provided by British Transport Police
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Notes to editors
- In the last 10 years alone, 21 people have died in alcohol related incidents at the platform/train interface, with many more being severely injured by slips, trips or falls in train stations (Data from December 2017 RSSB Annual Safety Performance report, 91 people seriously injured over the last 10 years at the platform/train interface)
- Latest figures also show an increase in violence fuelled by excess alcohol during December – with one in every four violent offence incidents reported last winter involving intoxication from alcohol. (Data taken from 24 November 2017 and 2 January 2018, British Transport Police)
About Drinkaware
Drinkaware is an independent UK-wide, alcohol education charity with the objective of positively changing public behaviour and the national drinking culture. It aims to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. It achieves this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol and its harms and by working collaboratively with partners, including the medical community, public health, third sector organisations, local authorities, police and the drinks industry.
Drinkaware has 127 funders, including UK alcohol producers, retailers in the on-trade and off-trade and wholesalers.
For further information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
Further information:
Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137
John Porter: john@shielporter.com / 07734 054389