Latest news with #TransportPolice
STV News
5 days ago
- STV News
Level crossing named most misused in Scotland with 18 incidents in six months
Broughty Ferry is the most misused public level crossing in Scotland, according to Network Rail, with 18 incidents this year alone. As part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day on June 5, Network Rail said they are working with the Transport Police to step up their efforts to tackle Scotland's most misused level crossing. The level crossing, located at Gray Street in Broughty Ferry, has 18 recorded incidents just this year which included people crossing despite warnings of an approaching train at speeds reaching up to 100mph. In 2024-25, there were 32 incidents in total, and 54 in 2023-24. Network Rail said that despite warnings such as clear signage, full barriers, lights, audible alarms and CCTV monitoring, the crossing is still misused by both pedestrians and drivers. They highlight that people using the crossing should concentrate and not be distracted by phones, music and conversation. Innis Keith, health, safety and environment director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Level crossings are safe when used correctly, but misuse can have devastating consequences. 'At Broughty Ferry, we've seen too many potentially dangerous situations. That's why it's important we work together to raise awareness and help people understand how to stay safe. 'It's about protecting lives and making sure no family faces the heartbreak of a preventable tragedy. Staying alert and taking a few careful steps can be the difference between getting home safely and not making it home at all.' Inspector Ashley Forbes at the British Transport Police added: 'There is simply no excuse for misusing a level crossing and ignoring safety procedures, and the consequences of trying to beat the system or failing to pay attention are severe. 'You not only put your own life at risk when you fail to treat a level crossing with respect, but also the lives of the passengers and staff of the oncoming train. 'The railways can be incredibly dangerous, which is why people need to do the right thing when using railway level crossings. If you see anyone failing to adhere to the safety procedures and putting themselves and others in harm's way, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or by calling us. Always dial 999 in an emergency.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Carbon Neutral Is Back And It Might Be Smarter Than Net Zero
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Zero emission branding is displayed on a Kia all electric British ... More Transport Police car is displayed during the Fully Charged Live UK at Farnborough International on April 28, 2023 in London, England. This year's show includes dozens of 'live sessions' and an exhibition of hundreds of companies, with electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and a large selection of home energy options (Photo by) Before net zero became the benchmark of corporate climate ambition, carbon neutrality led the way. In the 2000s and early 2010s, companies and governments pledged to measure emissions, offset what they couldn't reduce, and label themselves or their products accordingly. It offered a straightforward, near-term approach to climate responsibility. Over time, however, the label lost credibility—undermined by vague accounting, low-quality offsets, and limited transparency. As climate science advanced, net zero emerged as the more rigorous standard, requiring deep emissions cuts across entire value chains and limiting the role of offsets. Over the past decade, it has largely replaced carbon neutrality as the mark of serious climate leadership. But for many companies, net zero has become too complex, expensive, or misaligned with real-world operations—especially in a politically polarized environment where climate action can trigger backlash. Some are walking away from their goals; others are looking for a more practical, verifiable approach that allows progress without overpromising. That's prompting a renewed interest in carbon neutrality—this time with clearer standards and stronger intent. A March 2025 study found that over 40% of companies abandoned or stopped reporting on their climate goals. Even missed targets drove progress, but without enforcement, momentum is faltering. Now, companies are asking: is there a better way forward? One answer is the return of carbon neutrality, redefined through standards like ISO 14068-1. It requires verified emissions accounting, high-quality offsets, and annual action—prioritizing measurable impact today over distant 2050 goals. The ISO framework also enables credible product- or unit-level claims by requiring full life cycle emissions for each. This differentiation matters because it allows companies to credibly label specific products or business units as carbon neutral, even if full decarbonization is still underway—building trust, capacity, and momentum along the path to net zero. Net zero remains crucial for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. To limit warming to 1.5°C (if that's even a possibility), we need total, economy-wide emissions to fall sharply, with only minimal reliance on offsets. Net zero provides a planetary roadmap for systemic change—essential for governments, financial systems, and long-term innovation planning. At the company level however, rigid frameworks can backfire. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), for example, requires a 4.2% annual reduction in absolute emissions, a challenge for fast-growing companies displacing higher-emission incumbents. Chris Hocknell, director at UK-based sustainability consultancy Eight Versa, sees this firsthand. 'A lot of companies have just hit the wall,' he said in an interview. 'They made a bold net-zero pledge, but once they crunched the numbers, they realized it might put them out of business.' He points out that companies growing lower-carbon alternatives—like green cement—may see emissions rise even while lowering sector-wide notes, "You're reducing the sector's overall footprint, but because your own emissions grow, you look like you're falling short. That nuance is completely lost in current net zero metrics.' In short, net zero makes sense for the world—but it doesn't always make sense for how companies grow. Hocknell argues that carbon neutrality offers more adaptability. The updated ISO standard mandates rigorous measurement, science-based reduction plans, and independent verification—but doesn't require fixed annual cuts. It also allows for the use of high-quality offsets, giving businesses space to act in volatile market conditions. For Hocknell, this flexibility isn't a flaw; it's a feature. 'We need a North Star, not a map,' he says. 'We need to know where we're going, but the route is never going to be straight. Carbon neutral gives companies the structure to act without boxing them into methodological rigidity that doesn't reflect how the real world works.' Data quality is another sticking point. Emissions models often rely on generic factors with wide uncertainty margins—sometimes 25–30%. One pharmaceutical company saw its reported footprint drop 50% after upgrading its data, without any actual operational change. This disconnect within the data can lead to performative strategies that prioritize compliance over impact. Hocknell points to practices like 'scope switching,' where companies move emissions from directly controlled sources (Scope 1 or 2) into supply chain emissions (Scope 3) by spinning off facilities or outsourcing production. On paper, emissions go down. In reality, little changes. But these accounting manoeuvres allow companies to claim progress and still meet arbitrary targets. Rather than being a loophole, high-quality offsets can provide a critical bridge, especially for hard-to-abate sectors like cement, aviation, and shipping. In these industries, rapid decarbonization isn't just unrealistic—it's structurally impossible in the short term. Credible offsets must start with additionality and measurable results. Nature-based solutions like regenerative agriculture not only sequester carbon but also enhance biodiversity, water retention, and farmer resilience—a 'triple win.' While top-tier offsets may cost more, they're still cheaper than the social cost of carbon—and deliver real impact. 'The best offsets cost more,' says Hocknell. 'But they deliver. And you can stand behind them.' It helps that the offset market itself has matured. After scandals involving questionable forest-based credits, the sector now emphasizes verifiable removals, community co-benefits, and third-party standards. Integrity is improving, and with it, confidence. This shift is already playing out. Apple recently defended its 'carbon neutral' label for the Series 9 Watch in court, supported by the Environmental Defense Fund. EDF highlighted the 80% emissions reduction achieved, with the remaining footprint offset using high-quality, nature-based credits. It wasn't just a defense of Apple, but rather it was a signal to the market that carbon neutrality, when backed by real reductions and verification, can be considered credible climate action. As Hocknell puts it, 'Net zero is conceptually elegant. But the business world doesn't run on elegant concepts. It runs on risk, margins, and uncertainty.' For companies trying to act amid imperfect data and dynamic pressures, carbon neutrality offers a structure to keep moving. That case is part of a broader trend. The EU's upcoming Green Claims Directive will ban unsubstantiated climate labels unless backed by rigorous evidence. Courts are also increasingly scrutinizing environmental claims—down to the assumptions behind individual offsets. As EDF warned in the Apple case, that risks silencing credible efforts along with the clear rules, there's a risk of a chilling effect: companies may stop communicating altogether, stalling both transparency and progress. Yet research suggests there's a better path. According to a report from the Anthesis Group, companies that combine carbon credits with broader net zero strategies are significantly more likely to include Scope 3 emissions and have validated science-based targets. Net zero may remain the ultimate destination but carbon neutrality, used as a milestone—not a mask—can help maintain momentum while laying the groundwork for deeper change. For businesses navigating rising costs, fragmented regulations, and mounting public scrutiny, one truth is becoming clear: what you call your climate strategy may be important, but how you build it matters far more. The resurgence of carbon neutrality isn't a retreat from net zero—it's a pragmatic step toward it. Used well, it enables companies to act now, communicate credibly, and adjust as data, regulation, and technology evolve. It's even arguable that climate targets should be seen as aspirations not absolutes, as best practice today may not be fit for purpose tomorrow. In a world of rising scrutiny, fragmented policy, and accelerating climate impacts, flexible, science-aligned frameworks like carbon neutrality may be not only acceptable but essential. What companies call their strategy matters—but how they build it matters far more.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
USC program aims to teach police leadership skills, with help from state funding
Major Lee Catoe, with the state Transport Police, accepts an award for completing the Excellence in Policing and Public Safety Program at the University of South Carolina School of Law on Friday, May 9, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA — As the University of South Carolina's first day of a police leadership program came to an end, the 15 officers in the class started to wonder, 'What have we gotten ourselves into?' said Major Lee Catoe, one of the program's students. That first class, which taught officers about different types of leadership styles, was just a taste of the intensive 17-month course in which police officers from across the state learned leadership skills and how to handle difficult policing situations, said Catoe, who has spent 18 years with the State Transport Police. Started with $10 million from the state Legislature in 2023, the Excellence in Policing and Public Safety Program teaches officers evidence-based practices on policing. Lessons include how to effectively communicate with each other and members of the public and how policing relates to civil rights issues, according to its website. The program's second cohort of officers graduated Friday, bringing the total graduates in the pilot program to 31. The first cohort of 16 officers finished the course in March. Staff at the university's law school, in talking to state law enforcement officials, realized police had few professional development opportunities focused on what it takes to be a great leader, said William Hubbard, dean of the university's law school. So, they decided to fill in those gaps, he said. The course was open to officers who are already in a leadership position at their agency or aspire to be in one and have the skills necessary. By cultivating great leaders, the program aims to encourage more people to become police officers and stay in the profession, Hubbard said. 'That's what we've sought to do,' Hubbard said. Unlike other professional development courses, professors give students real-world scenarios to solve using what they learned about best practices and how their actions affect everyone involved, Catoe said. 'A lot of times, you like to live in black and white, very ordered and structured,' Catoe said. 'Every once in a while, you have to go outside of that to find a solution that's beneficial to the person, not violating their rights and that supports law enforcement's objective.' The program consisted of seven weeklong courses, spread out over the course of 17 months. Along with teaching leadership skills, staff also offered help in writing grants for departments and other resources for officers. 'It's really a treasure trove for law enforcement,' Catoe said. Among the topics covered are what drives people to commit crimes, how mental health and community trust can affect people's interactions with police officers and the history of racial profiling, according to the program's website. Many of the courses were eye-opening, Catoe said. For instance, one week, officers learned how to use social media to connect with their communities. They used the university's social media lab to see which posts did well and which didn't, which Catoe hadn't considered previously. 'Sometimes we have to adapt on the fly and do something,' Catoe said he learned. 'When we find what works, we continue to use it.' Filling in those gaps, including teaching leaders how to work together, is essential, said Gov. Henry McMaster. He recalled a major drug bust he led as the state's U.S. attorney in the 1980s that came together only when different agencies figured out how to collaborate instead of working parallel to one another. Operation Jackpot, as the bust was known, led to the conviction of more than 100 people who were smuggling drugs into the country. 'You've got to make the ends meet,' said McMaster, the keynote speaker for Friday's graduation. 'There can't be gaps.' The program was meant to test curriculum for a master's degree in public safety executive leadership, with the university plans to start offering this fall, according to an application the university submitted to its board of trustees. The master's course will use officers' feedback from the pilot program to develop its curriculum, broadening it to twice as many people in the coming years, according to the application. 'I truly believe that as this program is pushed out across the state, it is going to be monumental for our officers,' said Aiken Lieutenant Jennifer Hayes, one of Friday's graduates.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
CCTV appeal after girl, 15, assaulted at York station
Officers investigating the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak Transport Police said the incident had taken place in the underpass at York railway station on 29 force said the girl had been approached by a male who spoke to her briefly before assaulting who recognises the man or has information about the incident is asked to contact police. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- BBC News
Teens with knives filmed on the platform at Queensbury station
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife after video footage was posted online appearing to show two groups of teenage boys fighting with knives on a London Underground clip was posted on Instagram by user @london_ukstreetnews who said it was recorded at Queensbury tube station in north London at around 17:30 GMT on footage shows two teenagers who appear to be brandishing large machetes, waving the weapons and lunging at each other on the Transport Police confirmed that officers went to Queensbury station and arrested a boy aged 16 "on suspicion of possession of a bladed article" and drugs possession.
