Train boss speaks out bout gender based violence on the UK railways

THE Chief Operating Officer of Northern, Matt Rice, has said:- "we can all do more" to create a safer environment for women working and travelling on the UK rail network.

Speaking on White Ribbon Day, which was on:- 25 November 2024, Rice said that Northern's work with Women's Aid and Rail to Refuge was a great start, but that there was:- "much more to be done."

It is worth adding that Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

 comes ahead of his participation in a rail industry event organised by White Ribbon; the UK's leading charity campaigning to end violence against women and girls, to discuss the issue.

The event, which takes place on:- Friday, 6 December 2024, from:- 10.30am to 11.30am, will be chaired by the charity's Chief Executive, Anthea Sully 

For more information and details of how to register, click here.

Rice, commented to the media that:- "It's shocking that 70% of women in the UK say they have experienced various forms of sexual harassment in public. The rail network is no different to other public arenas in facing this problem – and here at Northern we have invested heavily in enhanced CCTV at stations and on-board our trains to make customers feel safe, but we can all do more."

Earlier this year, Northern revealed it had established a network of specially trained staff to help victims of:- 'unwanted sexual behaviour' (USB) on the railway.

Based at locations including:- Blackpool, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston and York, they help signpost colleagues who experience:- 'USB' to the support services available and encourage them to report incidents to the Police.

Rice added:- "Everyone should be free to go about their day without feeling unsafe, violated or intimidated and I'm grateful to all my colleagues in this network for playing their part in helping to eradicate this behaviour and making the railway a safer place for women and girls."

Rice, who joined the train operator earlier this year, will speak at the White Ribbon event alongside Andrew Haines and Stuart Calvert from Network Rail and Charlie Doyle from British Transport Police.

Northern has previously called for its customers to download the British Transport Police:- 'Railway Guardian' app; an all-in one safety app that allows users to report crimes or concerns on the rail network, share journeys with trusted contacts and get access to news, guides and support.  If interested to get hold of the app or to findout more about it, the app is available to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Anyone with information about any crime on the railway can contact British Transport Police by texting:- 61016 or by calling:- 0800405040.

Deceased Estates Notice:- "Mrs Olivia Florence Smart"

WE have been informed that Mrs Olivia Florence Smart, from Rufford, sadly died on:- 2 October 2024. The executor / administrator of the deceased's estate, Peter Smart, has requested that we publish the following public notice.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 27 (Deceased Estates) of the Trustee Act 1925, that any person having a claim against or an interest in the estate of any of the deceased persons whose names and addresses are set out above is hereby required to send particulars in writing of his claim or interest to the person or persons whose names and addresses are set out above, and to send such particulars before the date specified in relation to that deceased person displayed above, after which date the personal representatives will distribute the estate among the persons entitled thereto having regard only to the claims and interests of which they have had notice and will not, as respects the property so distributed, be liable to any person of whose claim they shall not then have had notice.

Details of the deceased...

Deceased Title:- Mrs
Deceased Surname:- Smart
Deceased First Name:- Olivia
Deceased Middle Name(s):- Florence
Maiden name:- White

Date of Death:- 2 October 2024
Deceased Occupation:- Housewife

Claims Date:- 31 January 2025

Last address of the deceased...

Address Line 1:- 14 Springwood Drive.
Address Line 2:- Rufford.
Town:- Ormskirk.
County:- Lancashire.
Postcode:- L401XB.

Details of the executor...

Executor/Administrator Surname:- Smart
Executor/Administrator First name:- Peter
Address 1:- 14 Springwood Drive
Address 2:- Rufford
Town:- Ormskirk.
County:- Lancashire.
Postcode: L40 1XB