Project CONTEST: The Government's Counter - Terrorism Strategy - Home Affairs Committee Contents


Memorandum submitted by Merseytravel

1.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  Merseytravel is a public body comprising the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive (PTE), acting together with the overall aim of providing a single integrated public transport network for Merseyside which is accessible to all.

  With effect from a date not yet determined, the Passenger Transport Authority will become an Integrated Transport Authority as per the Transport Act 2008.

  Merseytravel is delighted to have the opportunity to submit this memorandum to the Committee.

  Merseyrail is an urban network of vital importance to the transport infrastructure of Liverpool and Merseyside. Merseyrail is a unique concession in the UK as the role of the Strategic Rail Authority (now replaced by the Department for Transport) has been delegated by Parliament to the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive, Merseytravel and the concession agreement is between the operator and Merseytravel.

  Under this arrangement Merseyrail has undergone a renaissance with annual passenger growth levels now in excess of 9%, transforming itself to become consistently one of the best performing Train Operating Companies and a leader in security provision. This memorandum details actions that have been undertaken to address the terrorist threat and also illustrates how activity to combat conventional crime also delivers a counter-terrorism yield.

  Delivery of the Security Strategy has required an enhancement in Merseyrail's security arrangements and supports a more effective and efficient security service through:

    (a) Optimising the use of security, revenue protection and prosecutions management teams via a revised integrated management team.

    (b) A consistent approach when working with BTP, security services and legal departments for a more effective delivery of the strategy. Merseytravel has embedded BTP Officers in the organisation which has help develop partnerships.

    (c) Enhancing visibility of security personnel through more efficient deployment, thus improving communication streams and intelligence gathering via a number of Key initiatives.

  A number of initiatives have been completed to inform the security strategy and have helped in its development.

    1.1 T332—Railway Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) Research into Trespass and Vandalism and ease of access on to railway infrastructure. A detailed report and risk assessment exists for each station location, ranking them as either High, Medium or Low risk stations.

    1.2 A Station Security file (TRANSEC standard) has been developed for each Merseyrail location as required under the National Railway Security Programme (NRSP). The file covers general security arrangements at each station including a search plan, details on TRANSEC and roles and responsibilities for staff.

    1.3 A series of enhancements have been initiated to improve surveillance, monitoring, visibility of security staff and more efficient deployment to act as a deterrent to "would be" opportunist criminal activity. The enhancements have been introduced followed detailed workshops with frontline staff, trade unions and listening to customer concerns through local forums managed by Merseyrail Senior Management staff and British Transport Police Neighbourhood Teams.

2.  MERSEYRAIL—KEY FACTS

  Merseyrail Electric is a high density, high frequency rail network with the largest underground outside of London. It operates on an electrified third rail system and its key features are:

    (a) 75 route miles, outer termini at Southport, Ormskirk, Kirkby, Hunts Cross on the Northern Line, and New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port on the Wirral Line.

    (b) Core city centre underground network, including 6,5 miles in tunnels and five underground stations.

    (c) Underground section includes the original Mersey railway tunnel opened in 1886.

    (d) Approximately 100.000 passenger journeys per weekday or 30 million passenger journeys per annum.

    (e) Nearly 50% of passengers are daily users.

    (f) 67 stations of which 66 are managed by Merseyrail.

    (g) One of the most intensively used networks in the UK with almost 600 train services daily (Monday to Friday).

    (h) Clockface, regular interval timetable (15 minute frequencies, increasing to five minutes on city centre sections).

    (i) Approximately 1,100 staff.

    (j) A fleet of 59 fully refurbished electric multiple units. These were refurbished under a contract executed by Merseytravel before the concession was let.

3.  T332 RESEARCH MODEL (RSSB)

  3.1  During 2006-07 individual risk assessments were made at each of Merseyrail's 66 stations on the potential for non authorised access onto station areas. The criteria followed for assessment purposes was:

    (a) Site visit to each station.

    (b) Completion of a site survey of station and surrounding environment.

    (c) Photographic evidence of Key areas of weakness.

    (d) Review of Safety Management Information System (SMIS) date for each location in terms of line of route trespass/vandalism.

    (e) Risk ranking of each location based on data provided (High, Medium or Low).

    (f) Action plan of agreed actions arising from the above process.

  3.2  A report by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) carried out and published in April 2008 commended Merseyrail for their actions on reducing the risk of trespass on their stations.

  3.3  Plans to improve network wide security were implemented as early as 2004 with the introduction of an improved security contract with a significant increase in resources to improve customer personal perception, enhance visibility and reduce the fear of crime.

  3.4  To support the security contract in this area and improve communications the following measures were introduced:

4.  CCTV

  It was clear even before the T332 research was carried out that Merseyrail CCTV was old and becoming life expired. (this was evident following the events of July 2005 and the request for mass downloads of CCTV footage across the country). The T332 risk assessment process served to reinforce this fact. A replacement programme was agreed with Network Rail at the beginning of 2007 and funding jointly shared:

    (a) Delivery of an enhanced CCTV system, removing all analogue CCTV and upgrading to digital technology.

    (b) Targeting High, Medium and Low risk in priority order, taking further into account key business risks (train stabling points etc).

    (c) The use of Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) in vulnerable areas to enhance surveillance of areas, linked to CCTV and remote monitoring.

    (d) Standardised equipment for staff and BTP to download to remove any inconsistency in using the kit provided.

5.  TRANSEC SECURITY FILES

  Following the revision of the National Railway Security Programme (NRSP) in October 2007, Merseyrail introduced individual station security files for all locations irrespective of categorisation. The files meet the requirements of the Transec instructions and are located at each station for any Transec Inspector to review during any inspection made and include:

    (a) Security search plans for each station, "HOT" procedure advice, useful telephone numbers, and roles and responsibilities of staff and management in the event of a security incident taking place.

    (b) Depot Security plans for train searching and security checks as well as enhanced CCTV and the use of PIDS on the depot environment. The system is linked to a remote 24/7 monitoring depot.

    (c) Line management briefings were undertaken to inform the Transec documentation. There then followed a series of "one to one" briefs with frontline staff on the importance of this documentation whilst they are on duty.

    (d) Merseyrail's private security supplier were provided with details of the DfT security and "HOT" training plans and held their own training sessions to fully brief their personnel.

    (e) Enhanced security training (Project "Griffin") is being undertaken by both Security staff and frontline Merseyrail staff, to reinforce the counter terrorism message.

6.  EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT

  6.1  Partnership working between Merseyrail, BTP and Security was programmed following a visit to New York to share "Best Practice" on dealing with security incidents and how to combat the criminal element within society.

  6.2  Initiatives were introduced in 2006:

    (a) "Code of Conduct signage (Do's and Don't's) on Customer behaviour signage installed on each station entrance.

    (b) Train Order Maintenance Sweeps (TOMS) at high footfall stations to improve customer perception on trains and stations.

    (c) Joint policing initiatives using security staff, BTP and Ticket Inspectors on designated areas, including drugs dog and "Operation Shield" (metal detector) exercises.

    (d) "If you see something, Say something" poster campaign to ask for public vigilance, (if suspicious behaviour is spotted, report it).

    (e) A specific Bye Law enforcement policy to target low level crime and disorder highly visible to the public and staff as follows:

7.  BYE LAW ENFORCEMENT

  Significant steps have been taken in the area of Bye Law enforcement on the Merseyrail network to act as a deterrent. An enhanced enforcement regime was required to support BTP on the lower level incidents across our network.

    (a) Introduction of "Exclusion" letters to ban people who continue to ignore our warnings and instructions on their personal behaviour. The information would be shared with BTP to enable them to provide us with the support we need in keeping offenders off our network.

    (b) The feasibility of Merseyrail staff and security contractors issuing our own version of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN's) to allow us to deal with offenders quickly and without having to take them to court. This proposal is being explored with the Department for Transport (DfT) for guidance and approval.

    (c) A "step up" on verbal abuse against our staff by ensuring that offenders are dealt with swiftly either by the BTP or Merseyrail working towards a "zero tolerance" stance. We will get support for this from our industry partners (trades unions and Merseytravel) by engaging with them at each stage of the process.

    (d) Enforcement of alcohol Bye Law at key times of the year and at significant locations on the network. High profile, very visible and active members of security staff and BTP enforcing the bye laws and providing public reassurance and awareness.

8.  THE NEXT STEPS (FUTURE)

  8.1  Merseyrail have just (December 2008) gained 100% Secure Station status on all of their stations. The process has taken four years to complete and has been a combination of investment, strategic deployment, information sharing and partnership working, between all industry stakeholders. This is part of Merseytravel's aspiration of having a "Secure network". With completion of the secure stations accreditation, the scheme compliments the other security and counter terrorism measures previously mentioned.

  8.2  As the first secure network in the country the next challenge will be to maintain accreditation. This requires a sustained effort by Merseyrail, BTP and security services through regular review and monitoring forums.

9.  NEW TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS

  As and when new technology is required to maintain and improve our customer security, new ideas and concepts will be reviewed as part of the Security Strategy. Plans currently being developed include:

    (a) Providing an enhanced dedicated "comfort" zone, a safe and secure environment on stations, under CCTV surveillance, warm, light, bright with real time information.

    (b) Improved Passenger Help Points (will be upgraded from the existing BT telephone type) with an emergency call button facility, linked to a CCTV system.

    (c) On train CCTV "live" transmission of images is the next logical step for on train security, with the benefit of being remotely monitored and linked to an emergency alarm. A review of the existing equipment has been undertaken along with a feasibility of what can be achieved working with Merseytravel. A trial with a supplier on a line of route is being developed.

    (d) New reporting equipment (blackberry type) for Ticket Inspectors/Enforcement officers to use to speed up the reporting and intelligence gathering process. A trial will commence early in 2009 to evaluate the equipment.

10.  SAFER JOURNEY CONCEPT

  Customers have advised us that they feel more vulnerable travelling on trains and during the evenings. To support the CCTV, "real time" monitoring trial, the need for Customers to remain vigilant will continue and plans for 2009 include:

    (a) Enhanced media coverage, via on train posters, "Eyes and Ears" campaign, confidential reporting of on train incidents and an improved communications system to give staff and customers the confidence they have a point of contact.

    (b) Highly visible rail enforcement teams on dedicated areas working on trains and stations, further complimenting BTP teams engaging with customers to give a physical and verbal reassurance. Deployment will include last train services to and from final destinations.

    (c) Rapid response security vehicles to respond to reactive situations across any part of the Merseyrail network, with trained multi functional personnel to deal with a range of problems and equipped to do so. The rapid response team will be equipped with radio communication for real time information updates.

    (d) A new Neighbourhood Police Team to be located on the Wirral, using shared Merseyrail resources to support the project. Merseyrail will support BTP with security resources and Ticket Inspectors for improved visibility and general vigilance and information sharing between all organisations.

11.  CONCLUSION

  Merseytravel along with its operating partners Merseyrail Electrics have encouraged step change in the delivery of a secure rail network for the people of Merseyside. This memorandum makes a strong case for recognising the connectedness of providing for personal security from crime, delivering on counter-terrorism and creating an environment where passenger growth can flourish. The ethos of a network wide approach in terms of achieving accreditation or application of procedures has produced an improvement in security greater than the sum of its parts. From secure stations accreditation to the use of perimeter intrusion detection systems, Merseyrail Electrics and Merseytravel have demonstrated a willingness to innovate and exceed statutory requirements in the provision for security on the rail network.

January 2009





 
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