A new approach to tackling anti-social behaviour at railway stations will see repeat offenders banned from specific stations for up to a year.
Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said train operators will hand Railway Behaviour Notices to repeat offenders.
Breaching these notices risks arrest for trespass.
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The RDG described the notices as “a first line of defence” to stop harmful behaviour before formal criminal proceedings are launched.
Trials showed a “clear reduction in repeat offending”, the RDG said.
The body insisted the railway is a “safe place to travel”, with anti-social behaviour reported on one in every 80,000 passenger journeys.
RDG chief executive Jacqueline Starr said: “Railway Behaviour Notices help create immediately safer conditions for customers and frontline colleagues by banning individuals from the network who have shown they cannot use the railway responsibly.
“In this shared public space, the vast majority of passengers do behave responsibly, and this is about protecting their right, and the right of staff, to travel and work in safety.
“This is a major moment for the railway. Early trials have already shown a significant reduction in repeat incidents, giving passengers and rail staff a safer environment and better working conditions for frontline staff.”
Rail minister Lord Hendy said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe when they travel, and nobody should have to tolerate abuse or anti-social behaviour on our railways.
“These notices give operators and police a practical tool to stop repeat offenders sooner, before situations escalate.”
