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Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Thursday, 30 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 December 2023. It was answered by Huw Merriman (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 December 2023 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railway Stations: Self Harm and Suicide

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps he has taken with rail companies to help reduce rates of (a) suicide and (b) self-harm at railway stations in (i) Romford constituency and (ii) England.

Answer

Every rail operator is required to have a live Suicide Prevention Plan which covers requirements such as training of public facing staff in suicide prevention, putting in place mitigation measures at stations and promoting help seeking behaviour to vulnerable people at risk of suicide or self-harm.

Furthermore, every operator is also required to obtain and maintain accreditation to the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme, which is assessed independently by British Transport Police (BTP). The scheme requires operators to demonstrate how they are actively supporting vulnerable people on their network.

The BTP carries out a site visit following every suspected suicide on the railway to mitigate against future loss of life at the same location, and has a dedicated Harm Reduction Team (Hart) who work one to one with vulnerable individuals, joining up local authorities, the NHS and others to ensure the person is cared for and prevented from harming themselves on the rail network.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
4653
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Railway stations Train operating companies Suicide Self-harm
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk