Next time buy a ticket! – The ticket collector who throttled a passenger

Title – Next time buy a ticket! – The ticket collector who throttled a passenger
Source – London Lite
Date – 3rd October 2006

“This is the moment an inspector throttles a suspected fare dodger. The official put both his hands round the man’s throat while a colleague helps pin him to the ground by holding down his arms, legs and body”

Not words you will hear from one of our instructors, but rather the headlines from the evening standard. Immediately the reader sees the inspector as the one in the wrong and the fare dodger as the victim. From the inspectors point of view they are doing their job and controlling and catching those that choose to break the rules. Who is right and who is wrong? In this case, no doubt, a court will decide.

Clearly 'throttling' is no longer an acceptable restraint technique, not only does the victim have the right to fear for their life and therefore is more likely to fight back with additional force and aggression, but as a technique it can lead to serious injury. We actively advise against all such actions and as part of our Physical Intervention training (PI) we demonstrate techniques where the same restraint can be achieved without the need to use excessive strength or force.

With the correct training, two inspectors could restrain an individual if the situation required it without making these headlines. But more importantly with our Conflict Management and Resolution training (CMR) we examine ways of avoiding conflict in the first place and communicating effectively so that any kind of physical intervention is a last resort and appropriate to the circumstances, not to mention within the law.

Business managers know the effect headlines like these can have on their operation. But even if it doesn’t make the headlines, physical intervention, what ever the circumstance, always leaves a negative impression on other customers. They only ever see a two dimensional picture of the situation that is occurring and will not comprehend what has led to it in the first place. With the appropriate training we can help your staff to approach situations in a more professional and effective manner. This approach promotes your business rather than harming it.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

The fare dodger throttled by ticket inspector

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Title – The fare dodger throttled by ticket inspector
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 3rd October 2006

Fare dodging in the UK is a substantial problem. The industry claims to loose some £210 million on London commuter routes alone and although methods of detection and control are getting ever more common, through the use of automatic ticket barriers and more sophisticated technologies, there is still a strong emphasis on the industry’s staff in the form of train guards and ticket inspectors.

There will be arguments on both sides when this type of incident occurs and claims and counter claims will continue as investigations take place both within the train operators own systems and by the police. The results of these may be published at some later date and a conclusion might be printed on page 25 of a local newspaper. But for the company involved the damage has been done, publicity like this on the front page of several newspapers will be the only thing commuters remember.

The consequences of these actions could be numerous. The individual concerned who allegedly 'throttled' a passenger (as seems to be indicated by the pictures of his hands on the passenger’s throat), is already reduced to 'back-room' duties and could potentially face further disciplinary action. The passenger (or alleged fare dodger) has already had a traumatic experience and in some of the articles printed covering this story, was at various times struggling to breathe. The train operator has clearly suffered a blow to its image and questions should be asked about the level of training given to staff involved on the front line of ticket inspection.

However the greatest damage is potentially to the thousands of other ticket inspectors and train guards working in the industry. These individuals who already suffer regular abuse, aggression and sometimes even violence collectively took a step back when this story hit the front pages. If the allegations are true then they are likely to face further aggression and abuse as a collective, from certain sectors of their customer base. Bad publicity such as this can only make them more of a target and the loss of the 'moral high ground' makes a hard job, that much harder.

It is obvious to anyone that in 2006, 'Throttling' (grabbing someone round the neck with both hands) is an unacceptable and outdated technique and no way to deal with anyone let alone someone suspected of a relatively minor offence. Although the full details of this case will only be established through the relevant investigations and no conclusion should be reached by those without all the facts, at first glance it seems that the alleged 'fare dodger' was outnumbered by staff and under their control when this alleged 'throttling' took place.

Beyond The Blue is a training company established to help employers and their employees deal with these types of situations without the need to result to dangerous and antiquated methods, which can sometimes be instinctive when the adrenaline is flowing through your body. But the circumstances do not justify the means. Our Conflict Management and Resolution course (CMR) help to train those individuals on the front line who often have to deal with aggressive and violent individuals (as well as those allegedly suspected of committing an offence), to resolve the situation in a non violent and non aggressive way. When all else fails and physical intervention is required, the techniques we teach on our Physical Intervention Course (PI) allow individuals and those working together to maintain their own safety and that of a second party.

In an age where people carry cameras with them on their phones wherever they go and where ever more areas are covered by CCTV, companies must not only consider the safety of their staff as a top priority, but the reputation of their company and the effect that this will have on others within their industry.



Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk