Victory for train station CCTV bid

10.9.01

Edward Davey MP's Safer Stations Group has welcomed the news that a £35,000 bid for a link between South West Trains and the Council's CCTV control rooms has been accepted by the Government.

Edward Davey MP set up a Safer Stations Group in 1998 to push for action to improve safety in and around local train stations. Kingston University undertook a survey of station users and Mr Davey's group also carried out a safety audit of all of the Borough's train stations.

Many of the safety recommendations identified in their audit have now been implemented by South West Trains and Railtrack. All outstanding recommendations have been passed to the Strategic Rail Authority and will be included in the conditions of the new franchise for the SWT route.

As a result of the work of Edward Davey's group, Kingston Council submitted a further CCTV link up bid to the Home Office, in December 2000. The bid aims to link both the South West Trains' CCTV system with the Council's own system, to enable the police to track movements of criminals caught on camera.

Edward Davey MP said,

"I am delighted that this vital anti-crime project has won approval."

"This link up between Kingston Council and SWT will allow known trouble-makers or suspected criminals to be tracked whilst they are in the Borough and when they try to leave. Pictures will be immediately available to both the Council and SWT CCTV control rooms. This should help to ensure that criminals in our Borough are more easily caught.

"Analysis of local crime statistics suggests that many of the crimes committed in Kingston are perpetrated by people from elsewhere. Many use the trains to 'travel-to-crime' so this project is targeted effectively.

"Kingston Borough has the highest percentage of accredited safety stations in the whole of the SWT area. This latest success is another clear reflection of the effectiveness of the Safer Stations Working Group."