jonmorris wrote:

I reported everything by telephone to British Transport Police, and
await an explanation from FCC. BTP were concerned by this, but I'm
not holding out much hope of them getting to the bottom of things. I
don't know who the people were who claimed to be working for the
railway, and never got to speak to the driver.

http://www.documentcapture.co.uk/forms/btp_2006.htm

BTP are running a survey about crime on the railway. You should forward
your observations.

Bob wrote:
BTP are running a survey about crime on the railway. You should forward
your observations.

I will.

Of course, I have no complaint about BTP here - they weren't involved
at all (which IS the problem - they weren't even notified until I told
them later). Since I've called them, they have given me a reference and
called me back to check I am okay. In due course, I am going to them to
make a formal statement.

Jonathan

When returning to London from Peterborough, on a Saturday night last
month, on arriving at Peterborough station, it was swarming with police
who were detaining several men, who had presumably been causing
problems on the incoming train. Said train was sat on the platform in
darkness, with no indications on screens, and no staff seeming to know
whether it was going to go to London or not. In the end, it all powered
up and we were all on our way, and the carriage was full of beer cans,
both empty and unopened! A good haul in the end!

jonmorris wrote:

Of course, I have no complaint about BTP here - they weren't involved
at all (which IS the problem - they weren't even notified until I told
them later). Since I've called them, they have given me a reference and
called me back to check I am okay. In due course, I am going to them to
make a formal statement.

As a matter of interest, as you were going to Hatfield what would you
have done if the security men hadn't asked you to leave the train
there? Also (and I realise this may be difficult or impossible to
answer) did you get the impression that the troublesome couple and
child were intending to travel beyond Hatfield?

wrote:
As a matter of interest, as you were going to Hatfield what would you
have done if the security men hadn't asked you to leave the train
there? Also (and I realise this may be difficult or impossible to
answer) did you get the impression that the troublesome couple and
child were intending to travel beyond Hatfield?

As soon as I realised the train was continuing with no police
attendance, I realised I was screwed and told the guard so. I was,
sadly, proved right.

I had no idea where they were getting off, although such people do seem
to be quite common in Hatfield.

Jonathan

"jonmorris" wrote in message
oups.com...
wrote:
As a matter of interest, as you were going to Hatfield what would you
have done if the security men hadn't asked you to leave the train
there? Also (and I realise this may be difficult or impossible to
answer) did you get the impression that the troublesome couple and
child were intending to travel beyond Hatfield?

As soon as I realised the train was continuing with no police
attendance, I realised I was screwed and told the guard so. I was,
sadly, proved right.

Did you ask about continuing beyond Hatfield and getting a cab/lift home
from the next stop? Not and ideal solution, but I might well have
considered it had I been in the same situation.

Aaron Borbora wrote:
Did you ask about continuing beyond Hatfield and getting a cab/lift home
from the next stop? Not and ideal solution, but I might well have
considered it had I been in the same situation.

I didn't think that at the time. It's easy to think of all the things
you could have done after the event.

Certainly calling the police on my mobile would have been a good idea,
rather than using the alarm, although the train would have long since
departed by the time they arrived (Potters Bar to Hatfield at that time
of night is only a few minutes) as it wouldn't have had any cause to
stop and hold anyone onboard.

Jonathan

jonmorris wrote:

Certainly calling the police on my mobile would have been a good idea,
rather than using the alarm, although the train would have long since
departed by the time they arrived (Potters Bar to Hatfield at that time
of night is only a few minutes) as it wouldn't have had any cause to
stop and hold anyone onboard.

You could have used the alarm after the train had stopped, and
explained to staff that the police were coming. But, as you say, it's
always easier to think of these things after the event.