Train operating company (TOC) First TransPennine Express’ Manchester Airport station has gained a national award for safety and security.
The 24-hour station is the first on the First TransPennine Express network to achieve Secure Station Status. This is in recognition of its CCTV coverage, staff training on how to deal with difficult situations and design of the station to eliminate blind spots.
First TransPennine Express reports it has worked with the British Transport Police to achieve the award and is now working hard to receive Secure Station Status at all 30 of its stations.
What they say
Edith Rodgers, Customer Services Director, said: “I am really pleased that all the hard work and safety initiatives have been recognised. We have spent a great deal of time and money to ensure that customers at Manchester Airport station feel safe and secure at all times. Personal safety is something we take extremely seriously and, while our crime figures are low, even one incident is too many.”
The Secure Stations Scheme was launched in 1998 and is directed by the Department for Transport and the British Transport Police (BTP). It establishes standards of good practice and accredits individual stations which have worked with the BTP and other local partners to implement security measures.
PC Bill Ashton, Crime Reduction Officer at Manchester, said: "The British Transport Police would like to congratulate First TransPennine Express on Manchester Airport Rail Station being accredited with the Secure Station Award. This shows First TransPennine’s determination to promote the safety and security of passengers and staff using this important gateway station."
Manchester Airport railway station is the fastest growing destination on the TransPennine Express network, used by 1.6 million passengers every year and is served by 70 trains a day.
Meanwhile First Great Western’s Newton Abbot railway station has been accredited with Secure Station status. At Newton Abbot, the station platforms, ticket office and car parks are covered by 24 hour CCTV and a full alarm system improves safety for customers and staff.
Newton Abbot Station Manager Geoff Fidler says: “This is a seal of approval for the work we’ve done to enhance security and safety at the station. Most of the measures needed to get Secure Station status were already in place but this award shows our commitment to continuous improvement. Although crime on the railways is extremely low and we are continually looking for ways to make our stations and trains safer, this award is about addressing customers’ perceptions and reducing their fear of crime.”
Newton Abbot is the latest First Great Western station to win the safety award, following recent recognition for Exeter St Davids, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Bath Spa, Bristol Temple Meads, Chippenham, and Swindon. First Great Western reports that it is committed to achieving Secure Station status for all its stations. Last year frontline First Great Western staff were issued with packs designed to reduce assaults, including a kit to take DNA samples from assailants so they can be more easily caught by police.
