Leading figures from policing, transport and youth services will gather at the National Safeguarding Conference 2025 today (Thursday, May 29) to address some of the most urgent challenges facing passengers and staff across Britain’s rail network.
Hosted by publicly-owned, DFTO rail operators, Southeastern Railway and South Western Railway (SWR) at Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, this event brings together voices from across the country to discuss the issues of youth vulnerability, violence against women and girls (VAWG), mental health, missing persons and the growing role of technology in public safety.
This year’s theme; 'Safeguarding our Railway – Stronger Together’, reflects a shared determination to ensure the railway remains a safe and welcoming environment for all — particularly for women, young people, and those in crisis.
Opening remarks will be delivered by Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern, and Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer of SWR, alongside an address from Robin Gisby, Chief Executive of DfT Operator.
Other key speakers include:
- Tina Wallace, Thames Valley Police – How Police Deal with Sexual Offenders
- Paul Furnell, Mitie – Addressing Violence and Intimidation Against Women and Girls
- Emma Kay, WalkSafe – Using Tech to Improve Personal Safety
- James Houghton, British Transport Police – County Lines and Youth Risk
- Rebecca Hayes and Roy Smith, Medway Youth Outreach – Youth Engagement and Anti Social Behaviour reduction
- Southampton City Council – Safeguarding and Missing Persons
- TransPennine Express, The Hub in Hull – An award-winning model of community-based safeguarding
- Speakers from the College of Policing, NPCC, and Greenscreen London will also tackle myths and misuse around Body Worn Video.
Steve White, Managing Director at Southeastern, said:
“I am pleased to co-host this year’s conference alongside South Western Railway. The safety and security of everyone travelling on our network is our top priority, and we take this responsibility very seriously.
“This conference is an opportunity to share knowledge and best practice, learn from each other and ensure that together, we are doing everything we can to protect our passengers and colleagues.
“By fostering collaboration and openness, we are determined to create a railway that is, and feels, safe and secure for everyone.”
Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer at South Western Railway, said:
“Keeping our customers and colleagues safe is always our number one priority. It isn’t the responsibility of just one person, one team, or one business — it’s something our industry must deliver together.
“Southeastern and SWR share a link at London Waterloo; our networks face similar challenges and opportunities, so it’s a pleasure to co-host the second National Safeguarding Conference this year.
“By learning from each other, we’ll build on the progress we have made to ensure everyone feels safe on the railway.”
As publicly owned operators, Southeastern and South Western Railway are determined to work more closely than ever to share their expertise on keeping our railways safe.
Southeastern is actively building a safer railway as part of its five-year Joint Safeguarding Strategy, developed with British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail. This includes the UK’s first dedicated rail safeguarding team, with more than 1,200 interactions with passengers and staff, and the creation of a co-produced Domestic Abuse Policy in partnership with experts such as Dads Unlimited.
As part of its efforts to bring track and train together to improve safety, the operator also leads with a Network Rail–funded Suicide Prevention Manager and has recognised 110 colleagues with Life Saver Awards for timely interventions.
In the next few weeks, Southeastern will launch its customer and colleague communications campaign ‘No Abuse. No Excuse’ which shows everyone that abuse and assaults will not be tolerated and the operator will prosecute those who go too far.
For two years in a row, SWR has achieved 100% for its Safeguarding on Rail Scheme accreditation, awarded by BTP.
Following its first accreditation, SWR hosted the inaugural National Safeguarding Conference for the railway last year.
The operator’s recent safeguarding initiatives have included the introduction of 89 safeguarding champions as well as a dedicated Safety and Security reporting app.
Alongside the continued rollout of body-worn video cameras to protect frontline colleagues, SWR has launched ‘safe spaces’ at key locations like Waterloo and Richmond and partnered with organisations like Missing People.
