Greater Anglia boosts on-train security across network

A firm that has taken over the rail franchise in the east has tightened up security on its trains.

Greater Anglia is to have more on-board security staff on train services in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and lines to London.

When the firm took over the franchise it pledged to improve passenger safety.

Reassurances were also made after the conviction last week of homeless man Ian Tomlinson for violent robberies at Diss, Ipswich and Colchester stations.

Tomlinson preyed on men travelling by train, attacking and robbing them at the stations.

'Concentrate staff'

Peter Meades, of Greater Anglia, said security staff will target problem areas where trouble has been identified or people were travelling without tickets.

"We're increasing the numbers of making travel safe officers employed across the network," he said.

"They will work with on-train staff, revenue protection officers and British Transport Police to reassure passengers about safety.

"They will also make sure everyone travelling has paid for their ticket.

"Where a problem is identified we will be able to concentrate numbers of staff."