Private security for curbing unwanted sexual behaviours in train stations: a place-based randomised controlled trial

Background: Unwanted sexual behaviours (USB) are widespread within mass transit networks worldwide. The present study examines the effectiveness of a place-based approach to tackle USB: repeated visits by capable guardians to prevent victimisation in train stations with a greater propensity for incidence of USB. Methods: Pretest-posttest between groups randomised controlled trial on the effect of an intervention administered by a non-police security team at a prominent train operating company in England and Wales. Eligible hotspot stations (n = 51) were randomly assigned to two conditions: enhanced security measures, encompassing heightened presence of security staff, proactive interaction with possible victims, and pre-emptive efforts to prevent USB, and business-as-usual conditions. Negative binomial regression models estimate the treatment effect in terms of USB, violence, and all other incidents in the treatment compared to the control arms. Findings: The implementation of heightened security measures led to significant reductions in reported incidents of USB at treatment stations compared to control stations. The intervention has also led to significant decreases in reported violent incidents but has had no significant effect on other reported incidents. Conclusions: Security personnel have the potential to serve as efficient guardians in train stations, effectively reducing the risk of USB and violence. The findings highlight the efficacy of place-based interventions as measures against USB. However, the intervention comes with a significant opportunity cost as the security teams had limited capacity to deal with other crime types. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.