First Capital Connect is pleased to announce that Downham Market Station has been accredited under the Secure Station Scheme by the Department for Transport and the British Transport Police.
97% of FCC managed stations have now been certified with the scheme, which is awarded to rail operating companies that are managing crime effectively and making customer safety a priority. Only two stations remain before FCC achieves it’s goal of 100% accreditation.
The Secure Stations Scheme is accredited by British Transport Police through a series of tests and performance checks. Stations are credited for two years and then have to be re-tested in order to ensure that they have maintained a safe environment for passengers and their property. The neighbouring station at Stevenage is also accredited.
This announcement follows the recent statistics that showed car park crime has been reduced by 50%. The results, which cover 44 car parks including Downham Market, are directly linked to steps taken by First Capital Connect and the British Transport Police (BTP) to ensure that passengers are kept safe and their belongings protected. These initiatives include targeted police operations, CCTV improvements, lighting enhancements and crime prevention road shows that have been touring FCC stations and making passengers aware of the threats and causes of crime.
FCC’s Crime Prevention Manager, Tony Holland, said:
“I am extremely pleased Downham Market Station has had its Secure Station Scheme accreditation approved by the Department for Transport.
“At First Capital Connect passenger safety is a number one priority and I am pleased that this has been recognised once again. A big thank you must go to our colleagues in BTP and the staff at our CCTV Centre for all their efforts in keeping our stations safe.”
