29 July 2025 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding, securing full re-accreditation as part of the 2025/26 Safeguarding on Rail Scheme (SRS), scoring 92% in the assessment audit.
The Safeguarding on Rail Scheme (SRS) is a joint initiative awarded by the British Transport Police (BTP) and Department for Transport (DfT) on an annual basis to train operating companies to protect vulnerable people on the UK rail network.
The SRS sets standards for rail operators to identify and support vulnerable individuals, aiming to make the railway safer for everyone. The scheme is a contractual obligation for all operators, with accreditation based on assessments of their safeguarding practices.
c2c’s Head of Revenue Protection and Security, Iain Palmer, said:
“Scoring 92% in our latest audit shows the continuous improvement we have been delivering over the past three years. This would never be achieved without the dedicated ‘eyes and ears’ of our frontline colleagues as that is where safeguarding is really delivered.
“As an organisation, c2c is steadfastly committed to maintaining our accreditation and improving on what we do over the coming year.”
Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive Officer of Essex Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the achievement, stating:
“On behalf of Essex Chambers of Commerce, I would like to congratulate c2c on their continued commitment to making rail travel safe and protecting the public who rely on their services every day. c2c remains one of the top train operators in the country, and we are proud to have them serving our county.
“As Essex Chambers are the top private business organisation in the County we are absolutely committed to working with c2c on our DAAWN project (Domestic Abuse Awareness in the Workplace Now) supporting SME businesses. c2c has shown complete commitment to this vital cause through their strong focus on safeguarding passengers, which reflects their wider dedication to public safety and wellbeing. Their dedication to safety, reliability, and customer care makes them a truly valued partner in Essex.”
c2c was awarded 40.5 marks from a possible 44 from the BTP, with the report stating, ‘c2c has shown that it continues to lead from the front and all senior leaders including Stuart Browning (c2c Safety, Sustainability and Compliance Director) and Abu Siddeeq (c2c Interim Communications and HR Director) are passionate and driven to raise the profile of safeguarding on the network and address concerns where they may arise.’
c2c’s Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:
“I’m delighted that we have received this glowing re-accreditation from BTP and DfT. It shows our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and how dedicated we are to ensuring everybody gets home safely. At c2c, we take such pride in being embedded in our local communities, as a true community asset, so this just further demonstrates how much we care about the people that use our network.”
Detective Chief Superintendent, Peter Fulton from BTP, said:
“c2c clearly demonstrates fulfilment of the performance and standards required against the SRS criteria and are thus awarded full accreditation. c2c achieved the pass mark of 92%, which is a testament to the significant amount of work put in to protect and safeguard vulnerable people travelling on its network.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
Images
Featured Image: ‘c2c Security Team at Southend Central’
Second Image: ‘Rob Mullen, c2c Managing Director’
Third Image: ‘Iain Palmer, c2c Head of Revenue Protection and Security’
Fourth Image: ‘The BTP and c2c team at Southend Central Station’