From the first days of the winter holidays, the SOK began an operation aimed at ensuring safe rail journeys for groups of children and young people. The safety of passengers will be monitored by more than 14 000 SOK patrols supported by 1 200 teams from other services. Patrols operate around railway stations and stops, inside buildings and on platforms. They pay attention to safe routes to trains through railway areas, as well as behaviour when boarding and getting off carriages. Uniformed and plain-clothes patrols are present on trains. Officers work closely with carrier staff and station personnel. The measures are coordinated with the work of the police and municipal guards.

Railway areas and tracks in places where “risk-takers” try to take shortcuts by running in front of trains are subject to special supervision. The SOK patrols the areas around railway lines adjoining ice rinks and tourist trails, as well as bridges and viaducts that unauthorised persons sometimes try to cross. Mobile monitoring centres, off-road vehicles and camera traps are being used to protect hundreds of kilometres of railway routes from thieves.

“During the winter holidays, we work particularly closely with train drivers and pay attention to children and young people who are near the tracks. Motorised patrols act quickly if a ‘play area’ is too close to the railway line or equipment. We also hope that the work carried out earlier, as well as talks and educational meetings with children and young people at schools, shapes attitudes that limit dangerous behaviour,” says Grzegorz Sławiński, deputy commander of the SOK Region in Tarnowskie Góry.

Officers remind passengers that their safety also depends on them. This means crossing tracks only at designated places and using common sense while travelling. “It is important to remember not to leave your luggage unattended and to keep all valuable belongings with you at all times. Whenever we feel threatened, we should alert the services responsible for safety as quickly as possible. Officers respond to every report they receive,” reminds Diana Zborowska, spokesperson for the Railway Protection Guard.

Passengers and people wishing to report safety-related matters can use the SOK emergency number: 22 474 00 00.

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