Product category:
Access Control, Door Entry Systems
News Release from: Abloy UK | Subject: Crime on the rail networks
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 November 2005
Combating the threat of crime on the
rail networks
Robin Rice, Managing Director at Abloy Security, looks at how security is becoming a growing issue for rail operators throughout the UK and discusses the possible security solutions.
Robin Rice, Managing Director at Abloy Security, looks at how security is becoming a growing issue for rail operators throughout the UK and discusses the possible security solutions open to them to combat the threat of trespass, vandalism and possible staff attacks Security on the railways continues to be a major concern for all rail operators
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 6 Oct 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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In particular, securing freight yards, plant and premises is becoming increasingly important to prevent trespass, protect equipment from vandalism and staff from possible attack.
Similarly, there is a need to protect high value or dangerous freight while in transit and to protect items such as on-board CCTV cameras and recording devices.
The Problem.
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The annual report of the British Transport Police (BTP) showed a 2.3% rise in reported crime on Britain's railways in 2003/04, representing an additional 1,836 crimes in the 12-month period.
This rise was largely due to a 31.5% increase in criminal damage offences, mainly graffiti, a 14% increase in violent crime and an additional 286 robberies on the rail system, which represented a 12.4% rise.
Route Crime and Lineside Security.
Despite recent improvements, the number of route crime fatalities is still higher than in the 1990s.
Over the past five years, route crime has accounted for over 40% of all fatalities and over half of all reportable train accidents on the UK railways.
In 2003/04 246 members of the public died as a result of trespass and suicide on the railways; of these 161 were suicides or suspected suicides, and five deaths were a result of children playing on or crossing the tracks.
BTP data indicates that at peak periods, 4-8pm during daylight hours, there is a crime involving vandalism or trespass every 90 seconds.
Trespass and vandalism is calculated to account for almost 5% of the catastrophic risk on Network Rail infrastructure.
Staff Security and Safety.
The danger from High Voltage is an ever-present threat to rail workers either from overhead power or rail side power points.
To ensure that all workers are protected from accidental access and permitted to work safely, dangerous areas need to be kept secure and only those qualified to operate or work in close proximity should be provided access.
To ensure this happens good key control is paramount.
In addition, a wide range of maintenance workers such as electricians, builders and mechanical workers must be granted access to certain parts of rail tracks, yards and depots to carry out their duties and installations.
As these staff have specific expertise but are, in general, not trained in all of the fields, they must be protected from inadvertently accessing other areas, as the result could be at best damage that needs repairing or at worst, harm or injury to the employee, for example if a mechanical worker accidentally accessed a live electrical wire.
Graffiti.
Despite some successes in recent years, incidents of graffiti and vandalism have been increasing.
2003/04 saw a dramatic increase in graffiti offences with almost 1,500 additional crimes reported, 75% up on the previous year, and, in particular, offences more than doubled on the London Underground.
As a result of this, cleaning and repairing graffiti and vandalism costs between GBP2.5 and GBP3 million a year, on the London Underground network alone.
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail.
There is growing concern that the carriage of dangerous goods, such as explosives, flammable gases, toxic substances and radioactive material, presents opportunities that may be exploited by terrorists.
Back on 1st January this year, new regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by rail (RID) became effective.
One of the most significant aspects of the regulations was security, with the guidelines stating that measures must be taken to make sure that all transit sites for dangerous goods are secure as well as to ensure the physical security of transport information.
The regulations also state that devices, equipment or arrangements must be used in order to prevent the theft of the train or wagon carrying high consequence dangerous goods.
The guidelines go on to state: "Anti theft equipment can offer significant security enhancements but needs to be properly assessed".
"It is likely that the majority of equipment involved will probably take the form of locks, security seals etc." The guidelines advise that sites where freight trains are loaded, marshalled, or unloaded, or areas where dangerous goods are temporarily stored should have, as a minimum security standard both physical barriers around the site, such as fencing, walls, railway lines, as well as access control measures at all entrances to prevent unauthorised access.
The solution.
In recent years, operators have been employing increasingly complex computerised security systems, often contracted through separate security companies; the main deterrent, however, to protect property and people remains the locks and locking mechanisms used on gates, doors, hatches and access panels.
These devices have developed steadily in recent years, and now incorporate extremely sophisticated anti-pick and anti-vandalism mechanisms, master keying technology and the ability to interface with higher level control equipment; indeed, although even the basic padlock may still resemble those used many years ago, the materials of construction and design of internal components are such that the latest devices are all but indestructible.
Padlocks.
Modern padlocks have benefited from recent innovations in drill protection, housing designs and cylinder technology.
Today, padlocks are constructed from a range of robust and resilient materials, including hardened boron steel, and feature a variety of body designs to enhance physical strength.
Some also boast corrosion resistance to deal with the harshest environments and use detainer disc technology, where the key is only removable in the locked position, for added security.
Padlocks are particularly suitable for locations such as freight yards, where intruders can remain undetected for some time.
Many of the latest padlocks adhere to strict regulations governing their use; for instance, the highest security grade within the European Standard BS EN12320, which states that a lock must withstand at least eight minutes of drilling and a similar period of sawing.
Some lock manufacturers exceed the requirements specified by European regulations.
Abloy Security, for example, rigorously assesses the durability of its padlocks by testing them in acetic acid salt spray environments to ensure the locks can withstand exposure to extreme weather conditions.
Access Control.
When securing a railway station, where people can gain public access, the challenge is not only confined to granting rights of passage to authorised visitors but also refusing entry to trespassers and intruders.
It also involves protecting high value property and facilities against less obvious security breaches, insurrections and vandalism.
This can be difficult when the site is spread over a large area and presents a large number of possibly unmanned access points.
There are many ways in which security can be enhanced, for example, installing additional surveillance cameras or hiring more security guards.
However, with ever-tightening budgets, these often-expensive access control and security methods are being underpinned by dependable state-of-the-art technological solutions.
Many of these latest security solutions revolve around providing flexible, unperturbed access so that members of the public and staff can enter and exit facilities in a controlled manner that does not adversely affect freedom of movement.
These facilities can be optimised by introducing access control devices such as electric locks, magnetic locks and automatic door operators, controlled by the use of keypads, swipe cards or proximity readers.
Central to these systems is the security, provided by high performance cylinder mechanisms, giving additional controlled access through master key suites.
In many ways, these systems have been designed as much with convenience in mind as security.
Electric locks form an important part of many modern security strategies as they can provide extraordinary levels of security, with excellent holding strengths and functionality, making them particularly suited to high traffic flow applications where stringent security and door management is required.
When used with access control systems, electric locks ensure a convenient and reliable entry and exit system that does not jeopardise security.
Used in conjunction with exit buttons, card swipes, proximity readers or digital keypads, electric locks provide unimpeded access to authorised personnel and a locked door to anyone else.
This can be especially important when a facility is frequented by large numbers of staff or is located in a remote area.
Particularly suitable for reception or entrance areas, automatic swing door operators can provide unhindered access for both the public and members of staff.
When used in conjunction with electric locks and card readers, they can provide easy access for authorised personnel, while preventing unauthorised visitors entering the facility.
As we have seen over the last few years, particularly over the last few weeks, security breaches will almost undoubtedly occur at some time.
Although most of these are thankfully false alarms, it is important to note that suitable exit strategies must be considered to ensure the safe evacuation of a building, and integrated electric locks and swing door operators can play a critical role in controlling the flow of people from a building.
Master Keying.
Convenient, flexible and easy to use, master key systems have been designed to provide authorised members of staff and visitors with the correct level of access to specific areas.
For example, a master key system can be set up so that the lowest level of the system grants entry to occasional visitors who require limited access only, with subsequent levels granting increasing levels of freedom, culminating in access to high-level control areas and administration areas.
Mortice and electric door locks, furniture locks and padlocks for gates and fences can be master keyed from a single suite and can be operated with just one key.
This is possible because the latest cylinder mechanisms feature locking technology that can be utilised in almost all lock types.
Modern locking mechanisms are protected by multi-level, key registration systems that dictate and control the ease with which additional keys are cut.
This is achieved by limiting the vendors that can cut keys to either the cylinder manufacturer or reseller.
Consequently, potential sources from which new or replacement keys can be obtained is controlled, unauthorised key cutting is restricted and the integrity and security of the building is safeguarded.
Master keying systems and other forms of access control are also ideal for controlling the entry of workers and maintenance staff to specific areas and preventing confusion or injury to these workers.
A site foreman or other authoritative representative could be provided with a key allowing them to access all areas as necessary while an electrician could only open doors and gates to the electrical access points.
Summary.
Recent incidents have starkly brought to light the threats to the transportation infrastructure, including rail networks and stations.
Besides causing extensive damage and loss of life, these incidents also significantly disrupt trade and communications, as well as potentially being detrimental to the reputation of the rail industry.
It is for these reasons that security has never been a more crucial element to the rail industry.
Thankfully, the latest locking innovations and access control technologies address these issues by drawing on different elements, including high security lock cylinders, padlocks and electric locks, to create a truly integrated security strategy that can successfully help to eliminate unauthorised access and the calamitous consequences. Request a free brochure from Abloy UK ...
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