British Transport Police Outlines Safe Bystander Strategies for Train Incidents
A senior detective from the British Transport Police has detailed the most effective methods for bystanders to assist in de-escalating challenging situations on trains. Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Ryan, who leads the BTP's Violence Against Women and Girls Portfolio, highlighted that direct intervention is not always necessary. Instead, she advocates for subtle actions that can interrupt or distract from unfolding events.
The 'Active Bystander' Approach Explained
DCI Ryan emphasized the importance of an 'active bystander' mindset, encouraging any form of supportive action. "We really encourage the active bystander type approach and any kind of action," she stated. "It doesn't need to be necessarily intervening in something, but any sort of action—offering somebody's seat or just interrupting or distracting from what's going on—can help to sort of stop it."
She further stressed the critical role of reporting incidents to authorities. "We really encourage that and encourage reporting so that we know what's going on, and we can try to prevent it ultimately and deal with those offenders," Ryan added.
Prioritizing Personal Safety While Helping Others
In her advice, DCI Ryan underscored that bystanders must always keep their own safety in mind when attempting to aid someone in distress. She recommended alerting train staff as a particularly safe option, noting that officials are trained in active bystander techniques and incident management.
"You can alert a member of staff, give somebody a way out of a situation by offering a seat, or starting a conversation with them just to remove them from that situation," she explained. "It can be about you interrupting that situation, striking up an unrelated conversation and trying to remove them from that scenario which is happening."
A Collective Responsibility for Train Safety
Ryan reiterated the shared responsibility in addressing issues on public transport. "We've all got a part to play," she asserted, framing it as a broader societal concern. "It is a societal issue that we've got to play a part in tackling."
This guidance comes amid ongoing discussions about safety on trains, with the BTP aiming to empower passengers to contribute positively without compromising their well-being.
