East Midlands Railway Expands Use of Body-Worn Cameras to Protect Staff

East Midlands Railway has expanded the use of body-worn cameras across its network, deploying more than 330 additional devices as part of a wider effort to improve safety for both staff and passengers. The operator, which is run by Transport UK, says the move underlines its ongoing commitment to tackling abuse and protecting colleagues on the railway.

All station and on-train staff will now be equipped with cameras, which are intended to act both as a deterrent and a safeguarding measure. As well as helping to defuse situations, the cameras are designed to capture clear evidence should incidents occur, offering protection to employees and customers alike.

The devices will be switched on by staff in a range of scenarios, including during ticket inspections, at busy stations, during major events, or if a situation begins to escalate. Any footage recorded is stored securely for 31 days, with the option to retain it for longer if it is needed as part of an investigation or shared with the British Transport Police.

Research carried out by the Rail Delivery Group in partnership with the University of Cambridge suggests the presence of body-worn cameras can significantly reduce risk, lowering the likelihood of assault by 47%, even when the cameras are not actively recording.

British Transport Police data highlights the scale of the issue facing rail staff. Since April 2025, officers have recorded 60 physical assaults and 136 verbal assaults involving EMR employees, against a backdrop of 21.8 million customer journeys.

EMR says it is working closely with the BTP and trade union representatives to ensure the rollout is effective and balanced, reinforcing a zero-tolerance approach to abuse on the railway.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director, said:

“Every day, thousands of people travel with us, and the vast majority do so safely and respectfully. Increasing the number of body-worn cameras is just one more way we are making our railway a safer place for everyone. Other measures include more specialist training, increased staff presence in key locations, new technology, and closer working with stakeholders.”

Image: East Midlands Railway