Train operator ‘one’ railway is improving security for passengers and staff on-board its trains with the fitment of CCTV cameras on many of the trains in its fleet. A £4 million investment programme, completed over the last year, has seen all 77 Class 321 units (which operate on the Mainline routes between Ipswich, Harwich, Clacton, Walton, Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford, Southend and London) and all 61 Class 315 units (which operate on the Metro and West Anglia routes between Shenfield, Cheshunt, Enfield, Chingford and London) fitted with the special equipment. The improvements to the Class 315s were funded in partnership with Transport for London (TfL).

These improvements are in addition to the facilities already in place on the 21 Class 360 units which are already fitted with CCTV (and operate on the same routes as the 321s, except for the Southend line). In total, therefore, 552 carriages have been modified in the past 12 months, in addition to the 84 carriages already fitted, making 636 carriages overall.

Footage gained from these cameras is retained and monitored for use by ‘one’, the British Transport Police and the Civil Police. It has already been used to help solve a stabbing incident on a Metro service, charge a vandal applying graffiti to a train and assist the Police during their Inquiry into the recent murders near Ipswich.

Given the widespread CCTV fitment on-board trains and the high quality images which can be obtained from the equipment, it is hoped that these additional security measures will help to deter crime, as well as solve it. It is also intended that this initiative will help travellers feel more secure, knowing that special security measures are in place.

In addition, plans are in place to fit some of the Class 317 fleet with CCTV over the next 12 months, as well as upgrade CCTV provision at stations.

Commenting on the investment and improvements in on-board security, Dominic Booth, Managing Director for ‘one’ railway said : “’one’ is pleased to be able confirm the completion of the security upgrade for two of our main train fleets, with the installation of CCTV cameras on all 61 Class 315 units and all 77 Class 321 units. We are committed to providing our passengers and staff with a safe travelling environment and this £4 million project, vastly improves on-board security arrangements, with new equipment providing high quality images - which will assist in the prevention and detection of crime on our trains. We will continue to take action to improve safety and security on our trains and at our stations.”