Department of Transport

Norris opens new centre for fighting railway crime
_______________________________________________________________

date 7 December 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 411

A secure public transport system and the safety of passengers and
rail workers must be given maximum priority said Transport Minister
Steven Norris today.

Mr Norris was speaking at the opening of a joint complex housing
London Underground's Network Control Centre and British Transport
Police's new Management Information and Communications Centre in
London.

He said:

"It is important that the travelling public should be able to move
freely without fear of becoming victims of crime.

"Despite this year's tight Budget settlement, the Government has made
generous provision for London Underground.

"Central Line modernisation, new trains for the Northern Line, the
Jubilee Line extension and station refurbishment are all under way
and this new complex is another piece in the jigsaw."

Mr Norris said that people will choose to use railways, including the
Underground, if they feel safe.

"Crime on the railways and the Underground is low but we
have to allay people's fear of crime. The police, rail operators,
local authorities and other agencies all have a part to play - making
sure that the journey door to door is safe, clean and secure.

"Rail operators, therefore, have a significant commercial interest,
as well as a duty to their customers, to invest in crime prevention
and good policing.

"This new complex is a welcome practical demonstration of LUL's and
BR's commitment to do so."

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-12-07 DoT-001