IN the 1919 Magazine for August, the headline story is: “Rail staff find themselves on the wrong side of the tracks.”
The report tells us: “A survey of staff across the UK is expected to be published later this year with full details of the findings. But British Transport Police (BTP) board papers have revealed, of the 62 ScotRail staff who responded, just 10 said they felt safe at work.
“And in a further blow, 88.7% said they were not confident in the BTP’s ability to keep them safe while on trains or in stations.
“LibDem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: ‘No-one should go to work and feel unsafe or as if they are at risk of violence.
‘These initial findings highlight real concerns about staff’s faith in the ability of the BTP to keep them safe.
‘I hope these interviews will be carefully analysed to determine where risks lie and what can be done to improve working conditions.’”
READ MORE: Karen Adam: A legacy of carefree summers is the goal for the young
There is no balancing comment from a Scottish Government representative, only these statements from the fifth-largest party in Scotland.
All media outlets have a reputation to uphold and a responsibility to inform accurately. This report, however, is likely to increase anxiety among rail workers and travellers on the basis of quite inadequate evidence.
ScotRail has more than 5000 staff. The 62 who responded represent only just over 1% – one in a hundred – and, even at that level, represent what researchers call a “squeaky wheel” sample, not a scientific sample, and thus not necessarily representative of the wider population.
READ MORE: Ellie Gomersall: Backlash against Government plans for heat pumps is utterly bizarre
Working out 88.7% from a sample of just 62, out of more than 5000, is frankly ridiculous.
It is very important that readers are made aware of the facts of violent crime in Scotland. Based on official statistics, crimes of violence fell last year and at 52.4 per 1000, are at only just over half the level in England and Wales, of 92.6 per 1000.
It is really unacceptable that any media outlet, especially one with an otherwise good record, should allow partisan comments, by a trade union and an opposition politician, to make inaccurate and decontextualised claims unchecked and unchallenged.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel