Department for Transport

Ruth Kelly urges more stations to join Secure Stations Scheme
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date 5 Dec 2007 14:37
source Department for Transport
type Press release

note DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (182) issued by The Government News Network on 5 December 2007

Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, today called for more stations to join the Department's Secure Stations Scheme in 2008.

Today, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, will join Ruth Kelly to present awards for achievements in tackling crime at train stations across the UK.

The awards event recognises those working to create a safer travelling environment and highlights the improvements the scheme can bring to the millions of passengers who use the railways each day.

Launched in 1998, the Government's Secure Stations Scheme encourages improvements to security standards at overground and underground rail stations. Station operators work closely with the British Transport Police (BTP), local police, Network Rail and passenger groups to reduce crime at stations, particularly the busiest stations and those in local crime hotspots.

The scheme standards cover measures such as staff training, Help Points, CCTV, lighting and information. To become and remain a member of the scheme, station operators must find ways to keep crime figures below a set level.

There are now 573 accredited stations across England, Wales and Scotland, with a target of getting more than 700 stations signed up by early 2009.

Those receiving awards were Docklands Light Railway, Southern, MerseyRail, First Transpennine Express, Virgin Trains, Liverpool Lime Street rail station, Transport for London's Crime and Disorder Partnership Unit, and James Burt, of the Rail Personnel Security Group.

Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

"I'd like to thank all those who have worked so hard to improve passenger safety at their local stations. 573 stations are now accredited, but we hope that many more will follow next year.

"While crime levels on the railway are relatively low given that there are millions of passenger journeys each week, we need to do all we can to create a safer travelling environment for passengers. Maintaining and improving passenger safety is an essential part of our commitment to the public."

BTP Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) Mark Smith:

"Secure Stations are proven low crime environments where police and station operators have worked hand in hand to improve the travelling experience.

"These awards represent a real commitment to partnership working including station design, management and police operations. Being part of the Secure Stations scheme is an investment in passenger and staff safety."

Notes to Editors

1. The award winners are:

* Docklands Light Railway: All 38 of their stations have been accredited. Their stations include a degree of crime prevention through environmental design techniques - this has included ensuring good sight lines by sealing off recesses

* MerseyRail: For work in partnership with other agencies to put into place legal remedies, such as anti-social behaviour orders and banning orders to support their commitment to a range of crime reduction strategies.

* Southern: For their commitment to the scheme which has resulted in 106 of their 160 stations being accredited. Solutions have included increased staffing, installation of live monitoring of the CCTV and customer emergency alarms and help-points.

* First Transpennine Express: For an excellent partnership with their local crime reduction advisors, and a huge investment and commitment to technological solutions helping to address security issues. They have completed the installation of a comprehensive CCTV system and help-points with emergency alarms at all their stations.

* TfL's Crime & Disorder Partnership Unit: For their commitment to improve personal security for rail and Tube passengers utilising all available measures.

* Virgin Trains: For gaining accreditation for Secure Stations and Safer Parking at all of its sites. Their effective liaison with agencies such as BTP and Passenger User Groups highlights their commitment to personal safety and security.

* Liverpool Lime Street rail station: They have reduced crime by half by increasing CCTV coverage to 24 hours a day and by having a dedicated security team. These pro-active actions complement the environmental design changes around the station.

* James Burt, of Rail Personnel Security Group, also received an award for helping to keep the safety and security of staff and passengers high on the rail industry's agenda.

2. There are currently 573 accredited stations across England and Wales, comprising overground stations, the London Underground and the Docklands Light Railway. Over 90% of all overground rail journeys and over 70% of all London Underground journeys involve passengers starting or finishing their journey at a Secure Station.

3. Stations are awarded Secure Stations status for a two-year period once they have met the required standards. After two years the station may apply for re-accreditation.

4. The 500th station to be accredited was Barnstaple on 27 June 2007.

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Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2007-12-05 DfT-001