- "Safety and security has always
been our top priority. Following the recent terrorist attacks on
the Tube, we have implemented a number of additional security
measures to complement those already in place.
Here’s what we do to help keep the Tube safe.
- Each of our 275 stations
has its own evacuation plan.
- Every member of staff has had training in evacuation and safety procedures and are currently in high visibility clothing (as are police patrols, both BTP and Metropolitan at stations throughout central London).
- A thorough check of all public areas of the train is now being undertaken by the train crew in the course of their normal duties and this includes when changing ends at terminal stations, and when each train is entering or leaving service.
- Extra staff patrols are at stations and additional search teams are currently on standby.
- There is close liaison
between Tube, police, fire and ambulance services.
- We hold regular emergency exercises, like Operation Dartboard in June 2005, and are constantly re-evaluating our evacuation procedures
- Each of our 275 stations
has its own evacuation plan.
- You, our customer, also have a
part to play in maintaining security.
- Please be alert for any unattended bags or luggage. If you see something that looks suspicious, please contact the nearest LU staff member.
- Please keep your luggage with you at all times – this helps us avoid unnecessary security alerts and delays
- Please follow the instructions of LU staff in the event of any emergency - they are trained to ensure your safety.
- To encourage the public to
help us keep the network safe:
- We are undertaking additional PA announcements regarding keeping belongings with you and to reassure you when the train has to stop in a tunnel for longer than a few seconds.
- We have engaged the media and called on you to be vigilant, keep belongings with you, and report anything suspicious to staff.
- New posters have been produced to remind you to ‘Help us keep the Tube safe’
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Underground.
- Flash photography is not allowed.
- Please be prepared to take your litter and put it in a bin when you leave the system - this helps us to keep your stations and trains clean.
- When on escalators, please take extra care with children, pushchairs or buggies. If possible, please fold the pushchair but hold on to children.
- Please be careful when you step on and off the escalator, especially when you are carrying luggage. Stand to the right and hold onto the handrail. Avoid standing near the edge of the steps.
- Please remember to carry children under five and animals through the ticket gates.
Pickpockets
Operation Jackdaw swoops on pickpockets
London Underground and the British Transport Police have joined forces to crack down on pickpockets operating around the Tube system.
A special taskforce - codename Operation Jackdaw - has been carrying out more patrols than ever across the network - with increasingly successful results.
Since 31st July 2000, when the operation was launched, the number of pick-pocketing offences has gone down by almost 50 per cent.
This reduction in crime can be attributed directly to police officers patrolling the system in both uniform and plain clothes - high profile policing that has proved to be a deterrent.
During the course of the operation, the number of arrests has increased and intelligence gathered on both known and previously unknown offenders.
Regularly announced messages - backed by posters on stations - warn customers that pickpockets do operate on the Underground system. Customers are also reminded to be extra vigilant and to keep their belongings within sight at all times.
If you have any information on pickpockets please call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the British Transport Police website.
