BODY worn cameras are being trialled on trains in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

South Western Railway (SWR) has announced that the devices will be worn by its guards on trains including those going to and from Winchester, Southampton, Eastleigh and Fareham.

The trial began last week and if successful, could see the scheme rolled out across the SWR network.

The use of cameras is hoped to reduce anti-social behaviour on trains and at its stations, as well as act as a deterrent to assaults, threats and abuse experienced by staff.

Alan Penlington, SWR’s Customer Experience Director, said: “While our trains and stations are already equipped with CCTV, we are always looking for ways to help our customers travel with confidence and ensure that colleagues feel safer at work.

“These body worn cameras are designed to do just this, by deterring anti-social behaviour on our services and reducing the number of assaults our colleagues experience at work.

“While we wish that we could prevent every incident, we expect that the new footage will help authorities in any prosecutions by providing good quality evidence.”

Guards wearing the cameras will be at Fratton Depot, Portsmouth.