Train crew and Station staff reveal worst passenger habits 'of the few that affect the many' on journeys every day

TRAIN crew and Station staff working for Northern have revealed the worst passenger habits 'of the few that affect the many' on the train operator's 2,500 services a day. Their biggest bugbears range in scale from simple bad manners and those showing no consideration for other passengers to dangerous behaviour and criminal acts. Actions making the list include:-

► People putting their:- feet, bags and pets on seats; feet and bags are an 'Old School' problem that prevent others from being able to sit down, but more recently, people encouraging their dogs (in particular) onto seats presents a hygiene problem and/or worse for people with severe allergies

► Playing music through loudspeakers instead of using headphones; not everyone shares your taste in music.

► Vaping on board; just like cigarettes, this is not allowed onboard trains in England and hasn't been since 2014.

► People who leave their rubbish behind; Northern employs 500 train presentation Officers, but putting your rubbish in the bins provided will allow them to focus on the tougher elements of train cleanliness.

► People sitting in priority seats that don't give way to fellow passengers who are more in need; not all disabilities are visible, please be considerate of others.

► Making contact with the train (knocking on windows etc) as it's about to depart; this represents a serious safety risk, particularly if the person is under the influence of alcohol.

► People not giving way to passengers getting off the train before trying to board; this is a simple action that will make the process easier and quicker for all.

► Fare Evading, Conductors and Revenue Officers have seen it all before (and heard every excuse); passengers have a duty to buy a ticket before they travel.

The list has been released on Friday, 3 March 2023, to coincide with Employee Appreciation Day.

Tricia Williams who is the Chief Operating Officer, at Northern, said:- "We welcome around 1 million customers on-board our trains each and every day and the overwhelming majority are polite, considerate and respectful of others. However, it's no wonder given the numbers involved that our train crew and Station staff encounter the occasional bad mannered individual from time to time. What doesn't surprise me is that the things that bug my colleagues are those which have a negative impact on other customers. They have our customers' backs. To anyone guilty of any of the 'traits' included in this list, I would ask you to think of others when using our services. I know my team would appreciate it."

Did you know that Northern provides training to enable and empower its workforce to positively engage with customers when faced with disruption and conflict? The programme has already been delivered to 1,300 employees across the North of England, with a further 1,500 people to undergo the training this year...

Merseyside Society for Deaf People scoop national award for tackling loan sharks

MERSEYSIDE Society for Deaf People (MSDP) has won a national award in recognition of its efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks. MSDP is the first Deaf charity in the country to be awarded Partner Recognition accreditation from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT).

The IMLT investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders while supporting those who have borrowed money from a loan shark. The Liverpool based charity has been recognised by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) for their initiatives tackling loan sharks in the county and making communities safer.

The new accreditation programme recognises and rewards partners that work alongside IMLT to raise awareness of loan sharks, and their impact on local communities, and to create safer spaces for people to live and work.

As well as training staff on how to support clients at risk of loan sharks and educating the Deaf Community on loan sharks in BSL, the charity also teamed up with Merseysign Theatre Group to create a film. The 10 minute production 'In the Hands of a Shark' was a result of workshops with the Illegal Money Lending Team and sees Deaf people re-enacting scenarios of illegal money lending. The video was premiered to local Deaf clubs and groups. For more details of MSDP's Stop Loan Shark campaign and film please go to:- MSDP.Org.UK/Loan-Sharks.

Loan sharks are increasingly using social media platforms to advertise their illegal loans and target potential victims.

A recent campaign by IMLT, called:- '#SharkFreeSurfing,' ran across the Stop Loan social media platforms, with the aim of encouraging not just victims, but the wider community to report online illegal money lending activity.

Janice Connolly, Community Engagement Manager of MSDP said:- "It has been fantastic to work with the Illegal Money Lending Team on both our film project and the Partner Recognition accreditation. We are delighted to be the first Deaf charity in the UK to become a partner. This project is important as Deaf people are routinely excluded from mainstream services. Deaf people who use BSL as their first language do not have the same access to information as hearing people. We know that many of our beneficiaries are digitally and financially excluded. Even the basics of understanding % rates of loans is difficult when your first language is not English. We have worked hard to educate our communities about the dangers of taking out loans and also letting them know about saving with the local Credit Union. The project has raised awareness of loan sharks for our Deaf staff as well as our Deaf Communty."

Tony Quigley, Head of England Illegal Money Lending Team, said:- "We would like to congratulate MSDP on their partner recognition award and thank them for their outstanding efforts tackling loan sharks. We are extremely grateful for the support of our partners across the country and rely on them to act as our eyes and ears in communities. By working together, we can stamp out illegal money lending and protect residents from this awful crime. We continue to encourage people to come forward if they know of or have been a victim of loan sharks. You are not alone and we will support you."

Anyone who believes they might be the victim of a loan shark can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24-hour confidential helpline on:- 03005552222, email:- ReportALoanShark@StopLoanSharks.Gov.UK or complete an online report form at:- StopLoanSharks.Co.UK. Live Chat is available on the website from:- 9am to 5pm, from:- Monday to Friday.