HAYES and Harlington mainline rail station is to benefit from additional security provided by one of the new teams from British Transport Police (BTP).
Fulfilling his election pledge to make outer London stations safer Mayor Boris Johnson has announced 50 new BTP officers will start be joining the existing patrols.
He was joined by London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, and the BTP Chief Constable, Ian Johnston, as he unveiled the plans at Bromley South station in South London today (Tuesday).
Transport for London (TfL) will be investing more than £6m during the next two years to fund the extra officers to clamp down on low-level crime and disorder.
The new recruits will form into seven teams covering stations along a particular route and Hayes in being included as part of the Acton Mainline operated by First Great Western.
Their task is to provide reassurance to passengers, particularly after dark, and they will work alongside all the existing police and TfL teams who currently oversee the station.
Although West Drayton station has not been included directly in the scheme, a spokesman for BTP assured passengers the Hayes team would be of benefit to it and added it was also covered by a separate team based in Paddington.
The work of the teams has already been credited with reducing crimes across the network which include: robbery, down by 76 per cent, criminal damage/graffiti offences, down 73 per cent; violence against the person and staff assault, down 60 per cent and theft down 25 per cent.
Mr Johnson said: "During the election campaign I made a pledge that I would make London's suburban stations safer, because everyone has the right to travel safely and free from the fear of crime, no matter what part of London they live in.
"This is why we are funding an extra 50 British Transport Police Officers to patrol the National railway network in outer London - bringing an increased sense of security to the many thousands of Londoners who rely on the suburban rail network.
"These new officers help to underline our commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and crime, and ensuring Londoners can go about their business with a feeling of safety and security."
Chief Constable Johnston added: "These new teams, which will all be located at busy interchanges and stations, mean BTP have a Neighbourhood Policing team in every London borough.
"Passengers, rail staff, shopkeepers and everyone who works on and around stations now served by these teams will have dedicated recognisable police officers and PCSOs who can address their concerns and needs."
