Northern Rail launch new surveillance vehicle to combat crime on the railway

The UK’s largest rail operator, Northern Rail, has launched a Mobile Surveillance Vehicle that will roam its network, aimed at reducing crime on trains and in and around Northern’s stations.

The Mobile CCTV Surveillance Vehicle was introduced following an initial trial, and will be used by the Rail Response Team officers. The vehicle is equipped with four state of the art CCTV cameras, with 360 degree viewing and recording capability.

The vehicle will be deployed to cover large scale events, such as football matches, as well as routinely patrol stations and car parks where no CCTV is currently available to prove both a deterrent to anyone considering committing a crime or in response to a reported or potential crime.

Gary Stewart, Safety and Assurance Director for Northern Rail, comments: “We wanted to deliver a totally flexible solution for our business, with over 460 stations it is not possible, nor necessary for us to install CCTV at all of these locations. The Mobile Surveillance Vehicle allows us to undertake much more surveillance work, provide further support to British Transport Police and provide our employees and customers with a higher level of reassurance.”

Detective Chief Inspector Malcolm McKinnon, of British Transport Police, said: “The introduction of the mobile CCTV vehicle will provide British Transport Police with another evidential tool to tackle problematic and criminal behaviour on the railway.

“We welcome any initiatives or equipment which aids in the policing of the railway and would like to reassure passengers and rail staff alike that BTP and Northern Rail will continue to work in partnership to keep them as safe as possible.”