24.9.2008 Safety and Security team claim top prize at National Rail Awards
First Capital Connect has won the London Team of the Year prize at this year's National Rail Awards for it's work with the British Transport Police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour on the network.
The Award recognises the 'Keeping you Safe with us' campaign that has reduced crime and anti-social behaviour and improved safety for customers.
Crime has been reduced by 15.8% across the route and the installation of ticket gates at 15 stations has reduced anti-social behaviour and ticket fraud.
Staff visibility has been increased, and First Capital Connect has invested in 24 Police Community Support Officers and five uniformed police officers.
A new CCTV Control Centre manned by staff and a British Transport Police officer now monitors the stations and car parks 24 hours a day.
Martin Grier, Head of Revenue Protection and Security at First Capital Connect, said: "Safety and security for customers and our staff have always been top priorities for us and this award recognises a lot of hard work and effort from the whole team. We must continue to be innovative and look for new ways to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour."
The National Rail Award Judges were impressed with the comprehensiveness of the programme. They outlined the free fitting of 1000 bicycle security tags, regular crime prevention railshows and checks on car parks. They also commented on imaginative methods that were used on some of London's busiest rail routes and the successful partnership with the British Transport Police.
Chief Superintendent Mark Newton, London North Area Commander at the British Transport Police said: "This is partnership working at its very best and proves that the industry and British Transport Police can work shoulder to shoulder in the fight against crime. It has not been a complicated process, just a commonsense approach to policing."
