Don’t forget the human element!

Following the attacks in both London and Madrid, passengers are now coming to terms with the need for much tighter security controls on public transport, and in particular on our rail networks. This proposed scanning technology will need to be both robust and efficient in order to prevent disproportionate delays for travellers.

Most people, I believe, would accept the addition of a few minutes to their journey time if that helped in improving safety and security across London’s transport network.

However, when new technology is introduced there is always a danger of complacency as passengers gradually come to rely on security systems rather than remaining vigilant themselves, looking for abandoned packages or reporting fellow passengers who act suspiciously.

The presence of trained security officials – whether that be in the form of police personnel or a third party – will be essential to the success of this Government initiative and any future schemes as technology alone cannot be relied upon for a 100% effective security solution.

The scanning of luggage is obviously an accepted part of airport procedure. Why should we not expect the same kind of controls on our railways, then?

It will be very interesting to see how the initial trials at Paddington Station develop. I for one would welcome – however logistically and financially challenging it may be – a wider roll-out of enhanced security measures right across the Capital’s transport infrastructure.

Douglas Greenwell, Marketing Director G4S Security Services (UK)

An excellent Letter To The Editor, Douglas. The general public must accept that tighter security will mean delays. It will also mean the avoidance of events like 7/7, which none of us would wish to see repeated.