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Security on the right track

Security on the right track

01/01/2009 | Channel: Security

Security company proves its ability to safeguard some
of the most valuable network assets and go where others cannot

Senator Security has become one of the leading UK rail security specialists. The national company was recently awarded Achilles Link-up status following their successful bid to provide self (Senator Security)-sponsored PTS staff and became one of only a few security companies to do so in the UK.

Operations director Andy Grice commented: “The ability to mitigate main contractor risk was central to the expansion of our services. Having now proven that we are able to operate unassisted on live track, we have seen still further improvement in our detection and interception rates. The stringent protocols and disciplines required to become an SIA Approved Contractor, combined with our ISO 9001-2000 registration, meant that we were confident that we could meet the considerable demands of track-side operation.”

Mind the gap
Criminal damage, trespassing and theft are ever-present facts of life in and around our national rail network. Whilst there have been notable successes in tackling these types of crime, the gap between recorded and detected offences remains large.

With over 10,500 cases of railway trespass in the last 12 months. Nearly 8000 instances of criminal damage and 7000 cases of theft of capital railway or commercial property. (Source: British Transport Police Statistics Bulletin 2007-8). With untold disruption to project timelines, lost operating revenue, and damage to public perception, track-side security is no longer just a case of dealing with graffiti –
it is a major network integrity and governance issue.

Bridge the gap
Over the last four years Senator Security Services has worked with Network Rail on the £8 billion Trent Valley Four-Tracking (TV4) project, amongst others. Working in conjunction with the British Transport Police, we have been strong partners in reducing rail crime and greatly improving recovery and detection rates of recyclable material theft, line-side nuisance criminal damage, theft and permanent way disruption. Senator Security was able to demonstrate that they could operate effectively, reliably and consistently on TV4.

Initially, on-site security was limited to access point control, however it became clear that Senator Security could offer far more value-added content. In partnership with Network Rail, Senator Security developed an extended range of services that include stop and search, active overt deterrent operations, intelligence gathering, liaison with Transport Police and 24hr patrol of the project action over some
35 miles of variable terrain.

PTS operations manager Bill Searle says: “The ability to provide a highly visible deterrent had a significant effect on those that believed they were undetectable. A strong combination of skilled security officers, high and low tech support infrastructure, and vehicles that can handle terrain favoured by would-be thieves, has undoubtedly aided our success in reducing loss and disrupted a significant amount of planned criminal activity and other forms of nuisance.”

If you need project and/or trackside security within the UK, please contact:

Senator Security
Tel: 020 8297 4488
Email: pts@senatorsecurity.co.uk
Web: www.senatorsecurity.co.uk