July 2005 saw think-tank Policy Exchange run a seminar titled ‘public transport – can we ever use it safely again’?
Speakers included Rt Hon Sir John Wheeler, author of a review of UK airport security, featured in the December 2002 issue of Professional Security: Ramm, former head of Scotland Yard’s Organised Crime Squad, interviewed by Una Riley in our February 2004 issue; and Sean O’Callaghan, former head of IRA Southern Command. They discussed security on London’s transport system in the light of the recent terrorist attacks.
Recommendation 1: Leaving unattended packages on public transport should be made a criminal offence
Roy Ramm recommended that leaving bags unattended on public transport be made a fixed-penalty criminal offence, similar to fare-dodging or smoking. “It’s time to acknowledge that leaving bags unattended is not simply a nuisance. It can cause panic and it diverts valuable policing resources. People need to understand that it just isn’t something you can do anymore.”
Recommendation 2: Responsibility for policing the Underground should be transferred to the Metropolitan Police
Sir John Wheeler recommended that responsibility for policing London’s “underground streets” be transferred from the British Transport Police to the Met, enabling better coordination between relevant units.
Recommendation 3: Vetting procedures should be introduced for London Underground staff, particularly those with access to key areas
Sean O’Callaghan and Commander Ramm pointed out that it would be relatively easy for extremists to plant ‘cleanskins’ amongst the London Underground’s 16,000 staff, and recommended that strict vetting procedures be introduced, especially for staff members with access to sensitive parts of the system.
Recommendation 4: Police numbers on the London Underground should be increased
All the speakers recommended an increased uniformed presence in stations, on platforms and on trains. “We don’t just need more police”, said Sir John Wheeler, “but police who are willing to challenge passengers.” All the speakers also agreed that officers are best deployed on random patrols and spot-checks. Currently, 600 police cover the entire Underground.
Recommendation 5: Conductors should be reintroduced on buses.
Sean O’Callaghan attributed the absence of bus-bombings during the Troubles to the fact that conductors can quickly spot unattended bags or suspicious behaviour.
Recommendation 6: The travelling public should be made aware of current threat levels, and actively engaged in the anti-terrorism effort.
Commander Ramm praised the New York subway’s ‘If you see something, say something’ campaign, and recommended a similar slogan in Britain. He also recommended that threat level notices be posted in Underground stations. “They would tell people what is expected of them, and also of what they can expect from the police at any given level of alertness.”