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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