This morning I picked up one of those crappy free 'City Lite' newspapers the P'boro ET produce each Friday. I got to page 4, looked at the bottom of the page and, thinking about this nutter, pissed myself laughing at the irony of the main headline: -
'Station is declared on of UK's safest'.
P'boro station is one of 12 on the ECML to be awarded secure status by BTP and the DOT. The award was acheived for the various SECURITY measures and improvements that have been installed at the station. There are 4 key security levels to be adhered to in order to qualify:-
1. Design of the station has to conform with standards to prevent and reduce crime.
2. Staff must respond to incidents and communicate with customers.
3. Stats for the preceeding 12 months must demonstrate positive efforts to manage crime
4. A survey of station-users must show they feel secure in the station.
Apparently NXEC have a range of security measures such as CCTV (which are always pointing at the exits and not the car park) and security guards (who it now appears, hide in the office at the first sign of a major security threat) although the article only mentions the CCTV. Further improvments to the stations lighting and signage are also cited as examples of the improved security. I can't say I've noticed the improved lights and the new signs look liked they'd fit right in a few hundred yards up the track at Peterborough prison. And where's this survey? I certainly haven't heard of anyone being asked to fill one in or give their views. I'll lay odds they ran the survey between 11am and 3pm when most passengers are occasional rail users and wouldn't have a clue.
Clearly NXEC are very proud of their secure station status but I can't for the life in me work out how they got it, why they'd want it or what they intend to do with it. IMHO opinion, by giving the place a lick of paint, they have improved the look of the place since they took over but I don't think NXEC have done didly to improve security and I don't think the place is very secure but I do and always have felt safe there.
That is ridiculous. So what are the chances of them reviewing security at Peterborough after last Fridays incident when its one of the "safest stations"? Id say the odds aren't likely now. Thats a real kick in the teeth for the staff and passengers that feel security COULD do with an overhaul.