First Capital Connect has announced that Finsbury Park, Welwyn Garden City, Cricklewood and Kentish Town have all been awarded “Secure Station” status.

Secure Station status recognises improvements made to security at the stations and First Capital Connect's desire to reduce crime. Improvements include the £1m initial investment in 24 PCSOs and five officers patrolling the network, improvements to CCTV and lighting, and the introduction of automatic ticket gates at eight stations with seven more to follow.

Martin Grier, Head of Revenue Protection and Security, First Capital Connect, said: “This is great recognition of the standard we have achieved for security and safety. We are delighted that many of the improvements we have undertaken have enabled us to achieve this award. “Although crime on the railways is extremely low, we are continually looking for ways to make our stations and trains more secure. The award of “Secure Station” status is about reassuring our customers that we take their personal security very seriously indeed.”

The Secure Stations scheme covers all rail and underground networks which are policed by the British Transport Police (BTP). It establishes standards of good practice and accredits individual stations which have worked with the BTP and other local partners to implement security measures.

Dave Rowney, Chief Superintendent, British Transport Police: "Safety and security are top priorities for all rail users and I hope the award of Secure Station status will help reassure local people. Crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime are issues that need to be tackled throughout the community and I am delighted that First Capital Connect is taking this seriously.”

The Secure Stations scheme required First Capital Connect to show how its staff will deal with security issues such as dealing with vulnerable people, monitoring CCTV and providing customer information. This evidence was readily available thanks to the NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications) being undertaken by platform staff, which documents how they are trained to deal with these matters.