The network of quick responders, implemented since April 2017, gives the members of the UIC Security Platform the possibility to exchange fast information about arising security questions.
Since its start, the members have already used the network 12 times to ask their questions regarding:
- Awareness of radicalised employees
- Use of Air Drones
- Attacks related to religious extremism
- Attacks against maintenance staff
- Anti-smoking policy at railway stations
- Security of women in railway transport
- Use of FFCCTV
- Aggression against ticket inspectors
- Mystery Customer
- Use of AEDs
- Use of body cameras
- Security Organisation (under evaluation)
The last survey relates to the use of body cameras, which was carried out together with UITP. Next to the safety and security of our passenger, the health of our staff is essential. Unfortunately, in the past years physical and verbal aggressions against railway staff have increased. In addition to trainings and self-protection equipment, the use of body cameras could have a de-escalating effect or record video images for investigations.
33 companies participated and answered questions inter alia regarding use, different types of body cameras, the equipped staff, visibility, data transmission, the procedure to use a body camera in the case of third-party violence/aggression and data protection. According to member experience, the use of body cameras has a de-escalating effect and physical as well as verbal aggressions have decreased.
In the light of the strong demand by the responders, the UIC Security Division continued to work on the topic with interested responders in cooperation with UITP. As a first action, a webinar was organised on 13 December 2018 to present the survey results to over 35 participants. The expert Sander Flight gave a presentation regarding the understanding of bodycams on policing. In his presentations he stressed inter alia policy matters such as: What’s the goal? When should it work? Who wears body cameras? Or Who has access to the footage?
To deepen the exchange and to discuss various aspects, a one-day-event in spring 2019 is foreseen as a second action.
Further forthcoming security events are as follows:
- 22 January 2019, Brussels: SHERPA EU Project Workshop on Terrorist Risk Assessment and Management
- 12 April 2019, Paris: SHERPA EU Project Workshop on Emerging threats
- 8 – 9 June 2019, Stockholm: UITP SEC COM Meeting
- 9 – 12 June 2019, Stockholm: UITP Global Public Transport Summit
- 18 – 20 June 2019, Paris: 5th annual UIC Security Week containing inter alia a seminar on topics resulting from the network of quick responders, SHERPA progress meeting and the UIC Security Awareness Day
