Police increase railway patrols in Barnet and Potters Bar (From Times Series)

Police increase railway patrols in Barnet and Potters Bar

9:10am Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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POLICE have increased patrols at train stations in Barnet and Potters Bar.

The British Transport Police (BTP) team is working in partnership with train operator First Capital Connect to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Part of a new cohort of 50 officers funded by the Mayor of London, the team consists of six police constables, supervised by a sergeant and inspector.

They will cover train services between Finsbury Park, Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace, New Southgate, Oakleigh Park, New Barnet, Hadley Wood and Potters Bar.

BTP inspector Jenny Gilmer said: "The team will regularly engage in crime reduction surgeries and will be conducting operations that target knife crime and drug carrying.

“They will be highly visible and will work to become familiar faces in and around the stations for which they are responsible.

“Officers will work closely with the communities they serve to solve local problems and provide a reassuring presence to passengers and rail staff alike."

BTP London North Area already has a team of officers funded by Transport for London (TfL) that patrols London railways.

Insp Gilmer said: “Our colleagues on London Overground have seen great success in driving down crime and building a sense of community where they patrol.

“Over the past year they have been really important in achieving the reductions we have seen in robbery, and criminal damage and graffiti offences.

“We are predicting similar successes for this team.”

Martin Grier, head of revenue protection and security at First Capital Connect, said: "We welcome the additional policing team in partnership with the BTP and TfL.

“They will further enhance our efforts to improve security at our stations and on our trains and provide visible reassurance to our customers."

Steve Burton, director for community, safety, enforcement and policing at TfL, said: “It’s great to see the new team in place, especially as we want people travelling on all public transport, not just our own services, to feel safe wherever they are."