Recipient

Northern Trains Limited

First report 16 Jul 2024•Latest report 16 Jul 2024

Recipient record

Reports, concerns and published responses

Private and voluntary organisations · Train operating company. This page brings together reports naming this recipient and response statements clearly connected to concerns raised in those reports.

Reports: 1
Published responses: 100%
Concerns addressed: 1
Stated actions: 22

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

Evidence profile

Report topics

Share of this recipient’s reports compared with all other recipients.

100%published responses found

22stated actions described

Topic comparisons are not available in the current evidence snapshot.

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from Northern Trains Limited linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

16 Jul2024
County Durham and Darlington
Concerns raised1
1. Railway station known as a convenient location for suicide
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response 14
1. Action
  Upgrade the former taxi office to support Vital staff during station patrols.
  Stated completed
2. Action
  Cover suicide-related wording on the entrance mural while working with local schools on its replacement.
  Status at response
3. Action
  Deploy a portable analytical CCTV system at the station.
  Stated completed
1. Action
  Continue engaging local groups to establish a viable Friends of the station volunteer group.
  Stated in progress
2. Action
  Engage local schools, residents and community groups in station artwork, adoption and volunteering initiatives.
  Stated in progress
3. Action
  Provide Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club suicide-prevention signage on both ticket vending machines.
  Stated completed
4. Action
  Upgrade the station CCTV to a permanent system covering public areas, subject to design approval and landlord consent.
  Stated in progress
5. Action
  Refresh Samaritans posters across the station.
  Stated completed
6. Action
  Provide Northern TravelSafe Officer visits to supplement security patrols beyond 19.00 hours.
  Stated completed
7. Action
  Activate ticket-machine help points connecting distressed people with Northern’s customer centre and emergency-service escalation.
  Stated completed
8. Action
  Padlock the platform 1 mid-platform gate and check its security daily.
  Stated completed
9. Action
  Play classical music on the station public-address system after onsite security patrols finish.
  Stated completed
10. Action
  Work with local health agencies to improve awareness of support services for vulnerable people.
  Stated planned
11. Action
  Develop a stay-behind-the-yellow-line safety campaign with industry partners.
  Stated planned
Respondent positions 3
1. Position
  Restricting footbridge access may increase track trespass and accidental death because pedestrians may cross tracks rather than use a longer detour.
  Disputes the concern
1. Position
  24/7 staffing is not planned because fatalities have occurred despite proactive staffing and patrols, including access via lineside routes.
  Disputes the concern
2. Position
  Platform lighting is operational and suitable for capturing CCTV images at night, so improved lighting is not identified as necessary.
  Existing arrangements considered sufficient
AI-generated summary

Glenn Jacques and 2 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Each of three deceased persons died after being struck by a train at ████████ railway station in County Durham, and each was reported to have deliberately entered the train’s path. The report raises concern that the station is a known convenient location for suicide, while not being classified as a hotspot under the stated national definition; the incidents occurred within 12 months.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Northern Trains Limited; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Railway station known as a convenient location for suicide
Wider context from the report
“████████ railway station appears to be, and to be known as, a convenient location for suicide. In response to a Prevention of Future Deaths Report dated 10-Dec-18, (which followed a death by suicide at ████████ railway station), you stated that “the station does not classify as a hot spot under British Transport Police’s definition which is used nationally to focus the work of cross industry working groups. Such locations are defined as having 3 or more suicides/attempted suicides in 12 months”. The incidents referred to herein took place within 12 months. ”
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Upgrade the former taxi office to support Vital staff during station patrols.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Vital patrollers have access to view camera footage via a monitor in the old taxi office in the station building, which is used as their base. Northern has recently upgraded this office space to maintain its continued suitability for use by Vital staff when patrolling at the station.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 6 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Cover suicide-related wording on the entrance mural while working with local schools on its replacement.

Verbatim wording from the response
“To cover up any mention of suicide on the current mural at the entrance to the station, and to work with local schools to replace the mural – covered up July 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Deploy a portable analytical CCTV system at the station.

Verbatim wording from the response
“CCTV The station historically has never had a permanent CCTV system, principally because of a lack of supporting infrastructure on site. Northern has mitigated this by using a portable analytical CCTV system, supplied by Marlowe Fire & Security - installed November 2023.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 6 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Continue engaging local groups to establish a viable Friends of the station volunteer group.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Northern are working to establish a ‘Friends of’ group to adopt ████████ station and undertake work such as refreshing the planters with flowers. These would be tended by local groups to give the station a more community feel and afford greater opportunity to recognise vulnerable persons who may present on the station – the initial response has been very limited, but Northern will continue to engage with the local groups to try and establish a viable group of volunteers.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 8 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Engage local schools, residents and community groups in station artwork, adoption and volunteering initiatives.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Community engagement Northern has engaged with local high schools on community artwork and with the local residents’ association to encourage station adoption. Northern, Network Rail and LNER colleagues are also working with the local Men’s Sheds Association on community volunteering at the station.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 6 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club suicide-prevention signage on both ticket vending machines.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club (men’s suicide prevention charity) signage to be provided on both station ticket vending machines (TVMs) – provided July 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Upgrade the station CCTV to a permanent system covering public areas, subject to design approval and landlord consent.

Verbatim wording from the response
“CCTV CCTV at ████████ station is to undergo a full upgrade to a permanent system. The station is identified as a priority location with installation work anticipated to start before year end. The new CCTV system will have monitoring and some smart capabilities. This will make it easier to search for particular incidents in recorded footage and can enable geo-fencing to be applied to boundaries such as platform ends to deter persons venturing onto the track.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 7 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Refresh Samaritans posters across the station.

Verbatim wording from the response
“To refresh Samaritans posters across the station – completed July 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide Northern TravelSafe Officer visits to supplement security patrols beyond 19.00 hours.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Security patrols and staffing Network Rail-contracted security patrols (provided by Vital Human Resources) comprising trained suicide prevention patrollers are currently on site at ████████ station between 07.00-19.00 hours Monday-Friday, with mobile patrols taking place after this timeframe.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Activate ticket-machine help points connecting distressed people with Northern’s customer centre and emergency-service escalation.

Verbatim wording from the response
“To activate help points on the station TVMs, so if someone is in distress Northern’s customer centre can be contacted who can raise the emergency services if needed – activated July 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Padlock the platform 1 mid-platform gate and check its security daily.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The mid-platform pedestrian gate on platform 1 has been padlocked in response to the DOCO report, as it allowed people to bypass areas likely to have people present. Now those visiting the station must walk past Vital’s office and CCTV, eliminating a blind spot. The security of the gate is checked daily by the Vital patrols.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 6 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Play classical music on the station public-address system after onsite security patrols finish.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Station environment To implement classical music playing on the station PA system after the Vital team finish their on-site patrols at the station. This is known to reduce loitering and antisocial behaviour, and to be calming and reduce anxiety and may therefore help dissuade persons with thoughts of suicide from waiting on the platform for a passing train – implemented July 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 5 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Work with local health agencies to improve awareness of support services for vulnerable people.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Northern is seeking opportunities to partner with local health agencies to ensure that local people feeling vulnerable and in need of support know what services are available to them, so they can seek help before they start to feel suicidal – to be delivered through ongoing discussion and liaison at the multi-agency meetings.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 8 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Develop a stay-behind-the-yellow-line safety campaign with industry partners.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Northern, working in conjunction with industry partners, will develop a ‘stay behind the yellow line’ safety campaign, to raise awareness of the dangers at the platform-train interface – by 31 December 2024.”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 7 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Restricting footbridge access may increase track trespass and accidental death because pedestrians may cross tracks rather than use a longer detour.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The DOCO report of July 2024 also recommends the following mitigation measure:”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 9 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
24/7 staffing is not planned because fatalities have occurred despite proactive staffing and patrols, including access via lineside routes.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Security patrols and staffing The DOCO report of July 2024 recommends the following mitigation measures:”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 8 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Platform lighting is operational and suitable for capturing CCTV images at night, so improved lighting is not identified as necessary.

Verbatim wording from the response
“2. Problem: Lighting has been highlighted as an issue by staff at the location during non-daylight hours. Mitigation measure: Improved lighting should be installed in collaboration with the installation of CCTV, where the lighting can be used to complement the recording of images, especially at night. Owner(s): NR”

Source location
Response from Northern Trains
Page 4 · response
Published 30 July 2024
Open published response

Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026

Reports, concerns and published responses

Reports over time

Concerns raised1

Railway station known as a convenient location for suicide

Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.14

Respondent positions A position is what this recipient says about the concern when it does not describe a specific action.3

Actions described in response 14

Respondent positions 3