In the wake of a station bomb alert officers with guns will travel by Tube instead of cars in what could become a regular sight for Londoners during their commute. It is hoped their presence in the carriages will also reassure the public. Armed police were deployed on the Tube in the wake of the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 but it was only a temporary measure.
Specialist Operations and Counter Terrorism Assistant Chief Constable Alun Thomas said, ‘the safety of passengers and rail staff is paramount. British Transport Police armed officers have for some time patrolled at London Underground stations and on platforms. In order to make best use of our officers’ time while on duty, we are now considering how officers might travel on trains between stations, using them as a mode of transport to get from A to B.’
British Transport Police (BTP) deputy chief constable Adrian Hanstock said, âThey will stand out and people will see them. We hope they will provide a reassurance threat and there are able to respond to whatever the threat may be.’ Whilst admitting members of the public might be alarmed by the sight he said it was a ‘risk we are prepared to take’.
Dog units from BTP will also use the Tube to get around London rather than using vans as they do now.
Final talks will take place between BTP chiefs, the Mayor of London and Transport for London before any change is made.
The news comes after a bomb alert at North Greenwich Tube station.
The station, next to the 02 Arena, was closed last Thursday while a bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion on the device. Poker fanatic and ‘mummy’s boy’ Damon Smith, 19, remains in custody. Police are continuing to quiz him at a high security police station in South London.
Smith was filmed being tasered and wrestled to the ground a short distance from Holloway Road Tube station, about nine miles from the Tube station where the package was found.
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