Wednesday, August 24, 2005
See through Rucksacks - More than meets the eye
Have we seen through the see through rucksacks?
A company has launched some clear rucksacks for Tube users to help us combat our fear of rucksacks containing explosives said the BBC. I'd originally I heard about the "Freedom" see through rucksacks on Heart FM on Monday morning but at the time couldn't find anything on the internet about them and just thought - "Oh well yet another company jumping on the fear bandwagon" (see the hideous commuter survival kits)
I didn't think too much more about it until I received an email from Martin Evans, who's done some research which certainly questions the altruistic ("It plans to donate any profits made to the London Bombings Relief Fund." says the BBC) aims of the bags.
Here's the website selling the bags and apart from the rough and ready design, it doesn't look too bad - although worryingly the Legal Information and Privacy Policy link doesn't go anywhere. We also learn that: "For every bag sold by The Assist Safety Project 10% will go to the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund" - so already it's not the generous "any profits" we thought at the start.
Now over to Martin though on the people behind the project:
"I went on a little search about the people - the Assist Safety Project -promoting these "Freedom bags" (what a vomit-inducing name!) and found, unsurprisingly, that the company behind it is not quite the "private, non-profit organisation" quoted on the BBC." and quite a few other sources
"You'll find their site at www.assist.ltd.uk, where they advertise their two main products; the Assist Safety Project and their computer repair division focussing on the home computer user (but strangely, nothing about the bags being "sold on the Internet"). (Mmmm maybe they haven't had the chance to update it yet)
"It goes on to say that the free advice service it runs for schools helps parents with safety and education issues, such as "unsolicited e-mails, viruses and worms, Chat rooms and Instant messaging as well as controlling what websites their children are able to view".
"Now, call me an old cynic, but aren't these free advice sessions likely to be just a sales pitch to flog software for worried parents?
"Well, funnily enough, that's exactly what it is all about, as evidenced by the following bit on www.assist.ltd.uk/recruitment.html.
"Our Opportunity: Meeting people in the local community, through schools, local groups etc., we are able to discuss and meet the needs of parents with school age children, who have home PCs. As you will agree, Parents believe the safety of their
children is paramount.... our job is to let the parents know what we have to offer!
"As well as enjoying the flexibility of self employed part time work, it gives us the opportunity to meet new people and offer a worthwhile service."
"The link to their Terms & Conditions doesn't work - pretty indicative of their company, I'd say."
For what they are, I personally think the bags are quite pricey and like the Commuter Survival pack I personally don't like things that so obviously play on people's fear. Hopefully, if the guys behind the bags are reading this they'll get their terms and conditions, privacy policy and legal information links sorted out, as it just makes them look a bit dodgy. However, I'll leave you to make your own conclusions and, as usual, comments welcomed.
A company has launched some clear rucksacks for Tube users to help us combat our fear of rucksacks containing explosives said the BBC. I'd originally I heard about the "Freedom" see through rucksacks on Heart FM on Monday morning but at the time couldn't find anything on the internet about them and just thought - "Oh well yet another company jumping on the fear bandwagon" (see the hideous commuter survival kits)I didn't think too much more about it until I received an email from Martin Evans, who's done some research which certainly questions the altruistic ("It plans to donate any profits made to the London Bombings Relief Fund." says the BBC) aims of the bags.
Here's the website selling the bags and apart from the rough and ready design, it doesn't look too bad - although worryingly the Legal Information and Privacy Policy link doesn't go anywhere. We also learn that: "For every bag sold by The Assist Safety Project 10% will go to the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund" - so already it's not the generous "any profits" we thought at the start.
Now over to Martin though on the people behind the project:
"I went on a little search about the people - the Assist Safety Project -promoting these "Freedom bags" (what a vomit-inducing name!) and found, unsurprisingly, that the company behind it is not quite the "private, non-profit organisation" quoted on the BBC." and quite a few other sources
"You'll find their site at www.assist.ltd.uk, where they advertise their two main products; the Assist Safety Project and their computer repair division focussing on the home computer user (but strangely, nothing about the bags being "sold on the Internet"). (Mmmm maybe they haven't had the chance to update it yet)
"It goes on to say that the free advice service it runs for schools helps parents with safety and education issues, such as "unsolicited e-mails, viruses and worms, Chat rooms and Instant messaging as well as controlling what websites their children are able to view".
"Now, call me an old cynic, but aren't these free advice sessions likely to be just a sales pitch to flog software for worried parents?
"Well, funnily enough, that's exactly what it is all about, as evidenced by the following bit on www.assist.ltd.uk/recruitment.html.
"Our Opportunity: Meeting people in the local community, through schools, local groups etc., we are able to discuss and meet the needs of parents with school age children, who have home PCs. As you will agree, Parents believe the safety of their
children is paramount.... our job is to let the parents know what we have to offer!
"As well as enjoying the flexibility of self employed part time work, it gives us the opportunity to meet new people and offer a worthwhile service."
"The link to their Terms & Conditions doesn't work - pretty indicative of their company, I'd say."
For what they are, I personally think the bags are quite pricey and like the Commuter Survival pack I personally don't like things that so obviously play on people's fear. Hopefully, if the guys behind the bags are reading this they'll get their terms and conditions, privacy policy and legal information links sorted out, as it just makes them look a bit dodgy. However, I'll leave you to make your own conclusions and, as usual, comments welcomed.
London Underground Blog mentioned on CNN News
A number of people now have emailed me to say that they heard about this blog through CNN news - but Rob from Londonist actually sent me a link to the transcript of the broadcast and what the presenter Abbi Tatton said (scroll down to the bottom of the transcript if you want to see it in situ):
There's some discussion about whether the CCTV cameras at Stockwell were working or not, then:
"ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: So, the blogs are outraged about the story, but they're also talking about security on the tube after the bombings and after the shooting that Jackie was talking about that took place last month.
And also the security cameras; the security happening in the tube. This is the London Underground -- Going Underground's blog, run by a blogger called Annie Mole. It's dedicated to travelling on the Tube in London. A Great source of information: Lots of photos, lots of information there. So, this closed-circuit security camera she's talking about, but also, the new ad campaign that's going on in the tube, right now.
Posters are all over the place: "Help us to keep your Tube safe." It's talking about bags, if you see bags, report it to authorities. Now, because of this fear about the bags and the story -- obviously the bombs were in the bags when that happened last month."
Then she carries on talking about the Freedom Bags which I blogged earlier today, but it's interesting that she says:
"There's this new, new charity today that's launched a campaign, FreedomBags.com. These are clear backpacks -- a range of clear backpacks and bags suitable for travel on London transport. Now whether this is going to take off or not, it remains to be seen.
That's from a charity called Assist Safety Project. The reviews are coming in from London Blogger right now. It doesn't look too good. The Londonist at the moment, saying, a new range of security concerns perhaps by having a clear backpack. What if you travel with your iPod and your camera? Seems pretty dangerous to me."
However, we all know from Martin's investigations in the post above it's not a charity.
There's some discussion about whether the CCTV cameras at Stockwell were working or not, then:
"ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: So, the blogs are outraged about the story, but they're also talking about security on the tube after the bombings and after the shooting that Jackie was talking about that took place last month.
And also the security cameras; the security happening in the tube. This is the London Underground -- Going Underground's blog, run by a blogger called Annie Mole. It's dedicated to travelling on the Tube in London. A Great source of information: Lots of photos, lots of information there. So, this closed-circuit security camera she's talking about, but also, the new ad campaign that's going on in the tube, right now.
Posters are all over the place: "Help us to keep your Tube safe." It's talking about bags, if you see bags, report it to authorities. Now, because of this fear about the bags and the story -- obviously the bombs were in the bags when that happened last month."
Then she carries on talking about the Freedom Bags which I blogged earlier today, but it's interesting that she says:
"There's this new, new charity today that's launched a campaign, FreedomBags.com. These are clear backpacks -- a range of clear backpacks and bags suitable for travel on London transport. Now whether this is going to take off or not, it remains to be seen.
That's from a charity called Assist Safety Project. The reviews are coming in from London Blogger right now. It doesn't look too good. The Londonist at the moment, saying, a new range of security concerns perhaps by having a clear backpack. What if you travel with your iPod and your camera? Seems pretty dangerous to me."
However, we all know from Martin's investigations in the post above it's not a charity.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
London Underground Blog on BBC Radio Five
My err dulcet tonesWell, did the interview on BBC Radio Five Live on the shooting Jean Charles de Menezes and people's reaction to arming police on the Tube and you can listen to it later. My thoughts on how it went.....? Well, it's tricky when you have no idea what people are going to ask you, so no matter how much preparation you can do for a live interview, you still end up saying "errr" and "well, er" quite a bit.
You'll note that I say "In my opinion" and "I think" and "I would say" quite a lot, mainly because my mind kept going blank and I could hardly remember your many comments on the subject. The one comment I could remember, I sort of ballsed up (sorry).
In the main I think it went OK, although when listening back to it, the main presenter Rhod Sharpe (lovely guy who was smiling and nodding encouragingly at me while I was speaking), didn't do too well giving out the web address of the blog. But hey ho, I think Google and Yahoo do a good enough job indexing the blog, so if people put in "london hyphen underground blog" in some shape or form they'll find it (in fact a fair few people did find it that way at around the time of the broadcast - people listening at 2.15am onwards - Ah, bless them).
When you listen to the recording there's a bit of a gap at the end and Rhod returns momentarily to talking about his upcoming Jury service, then the recording returns to Chris Vallance (who arranged the interview with me) talking about the blog and how many comments/posts it gets etc etc.
Anyway to listen you have two choices - one is straightforward and takes you straight to the interview and download a fairly ropey quality mp3 recording (9.3KB) or for much better quality you can go to BBCFiveLive's site, visit the Listen Again section - select Tuesday and use the "forward" buttons - forward till you get to 1 hour and 6 minutes into the bulletin (see image) and then you'll hear me around there after the jury service bit. (Phew) Enjoy and comments more than welcome!
Is the Stockwell Shooting story overlooking the victims of the attack?Something which Rhod mentioned when introducing me and that we've already touched upon in the comments here, is whether all of the news about Jean Charles de Menezes is overshadowing or taking away from the tragedy of the 52 victims killed in the July 7th attacks. But it's interesting that the media are now picking up on this.
The Daily Express are saying it's disrespectful to the families of the 52 victims. Dania Gorodi the sister of Michelle Otto who dies in the the Russell Square bombing said: "Fifty two people who died in the bombing have been totally forgotten and everybody is just totally hysterical about finding someone to pay for that poor young man who died". The Daily Telegraph also cover this story online. You can see my opinion in the original comment I've linked to, and this highlights my observations of how people's comments, thoughts and opinions are changing every day as more facts are coming out.
I didn't get a chance to plug Tuberelief on the interview (sorry Geoff). Although I'm not personally taking part I've been involved in the promotion of this challenge from the start and the aim is to raise 20,000 pounds for the victims and the families of the victims of the attack. I think Geoff will agree that the charitable aspect of this has been very much at the forefront of my involvement. So personally I would be delighted if the emphasis of the current news swung back to the victims. Please consider making a donation to any of the people doing the challenge later this week or a donation to this blog's fundraiser for the victims.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Featured in BBC round up of Blogs on de Menezes shooting
Blog in haste, repent at leisure
The BBC have just done a round up of some of the blogs talking about the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and this blog is featured twice - fortunately quite favourably.
The article begins:
"Soon after his death, Jean Charles de Menezes was described by Richard Littlejohn in The Sun as "suicidally reckless". More recently, the columnist has acknowledged that initial reports were inaccurate and turned his derision on the policemen. Mr Menezes was shot a day after the failed London bombings.
On the blogs, we're seeing a more thoughtful response to the same problem. There's a temptation to comment on an event straight away, but it sometimes takes a while for all the facts to emerge."
Quoting one of the commenters from this blog the writer Alan O'Connor says:
"policing practice is of course coming in for a great deal of scrutiny. The overall tone is one of sympathy for individual officers, but concern over procedure. Commenting at The London Underground Blog, Ian of Who Knows Where The Thoughts Come From? writes:
"It's a strange contrast between the treatment of the leaker (suspended from work) to the treatment of the assassin (distinctly not suspended; given an expenses paid holiday though). It would make you think that exposing the truth is a worse crime than killing an innocent man."
and later:
"Trust in short supply
And it's not just the police: Annie Mole is one among many highlighting the unreliability of eyewitness statements, which were relied on by the media, including the BBC."
Thanks to everyone who has been making comments on the blog about this whole issue - you never know when those comments will be making the news themselves!
The BBC have just done a round up of some of the blogs talking about the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and this blog is featured twice - fortunately quite favourably.
The article begins:
"Soon after his death, Jean Charles de Menezes was described by Richard Littlejohn in The Sun as "suicidally reckless". More recently, the columnist has acknowledged that initial reports were inaccurate and turned his derision on the policemen. Mr Menezes was shot a day after the failed London bombings.
On the blogs, we're seeing a more thoughtful response to the same problem. There's a temptation to comment on an event straight away, but it sometimes takes a while for all the facts to emerge."
Quoting one of the commenters from this blog the writer Alan O'Connor says:
"policing practice is of course coming in for a great deal of scrutiny. The overall tone is one of sympathy for individual officers, but concern over procedure. Commenting at The London Underground Blog, Ian of Who Knows Where The Thoughts Come From? writes:
"It's a strange contrast between the treatment of the leaker (suspended from work) to the treatment of the assassin (distinctly not suspended; given an expenses paid holiday though). It would make you think that exposing the truth is a worse crime than killing an innocent man."
and later:
"Trust in short supply
And it's not just the police: Annie Mole is one among many highlighting the unreliability of eyewitness statements, which were relied on by the media, including the BBC."
Thanks to everyone who has been making comments on the blog about this whole issue - you never know when those comments will be making the news themselves!
Brazilian Judges arrive to quiz Police over Stockwell Tube Shooting
And Downing Street Vigil for Jean Charles de Menezes
It's been a month since the police killed de Menezes in a London Underground Tube carriage at Stockwell. From the BBC: "Two senior Brazilian officials are due to arrive in Britain to question the commission investigating the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.......
"Meanwhile, supporters of his family plan a protest vigil at Downing Street." That will be tonight at around 6pm.
CCTV on the Underground working or not?
Also today there are more arguments over whether the CCTV at Stockwell tube was working or not. The Daily Mirror and other press sources report:
"Tapes from CCTV cameras which should have filmed the last moments of Jean Charles de Menezes were completely blank, police have told Tube security staff.
But the transport workers, who fear they could be blamed for the lack of footage showing how the 27-year-old died, insist that their surveillance equipment was working at the time......
"although there are pictures of Mr de Menezes entering Stockwell station and going through ticket barriers, there has so far been a lack of film from the scene where the shooting took place......
"A senior transport union official said yesterday: "There is a lot of confusion and my members are concerned that a misleading impression has been given."
If you missed my post about "Who's to blame?" for this tragedy over the weekend you might want to check it out.
BBC interview me
Yep you didn't read that incorrectly, I'm going to be on BBC Radio Five Live at some ungodly hour, 2.10am when only insomniacs, taxi drivers and internet geeks will be awake, discussing aspects of the shooting and mainly the blog's and commenters' reaction to the idea of police being armed on the London Underground. Fortunately it's pre-recorded, so I'll be at the studio much, much earlier than the broadcast time this evening.
I'll try to get a recording of it, and alternatively it is repeated in a podcast for a week, so I'll post up the link of that tomorrow. Wish me luck, I was told with all of the repeats that the audience is likely to be a million. Gulp!
It's been a month since the police killed de Menezes in a London Underground Tube carriage at Stockwell. From the BBC: "Two senior Brazilian officials are due to arrive in Britain to question the commission investigating the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.......
"Meanwhile, supporters of his family plan a protest vigil at Downing Street." That will be tonight at around 6pm.
CCTV on the Underground working or not?
Also today there are more arguments over whether the CCTV at Stockwell tube was working or not. The Daily Mirror and other press sources report:
"Tapes from CCTV cameras which should have filmed the last moments of Jean Charles de Menezes were completely blank, police have told Tube security staff.
But the transport workers, who fear they could be blamed for the lack of footage showing how the 27-year-old died, insist that their surveillance equipment was working at the time......
"although there are pictures of Mr de Menezes entering Stockwell station and going through ticket barriers, there has so far been a lack of film from the scene where the shooting took place......
"A senior transport union official said yesterday: "There is a lot of confusion and my members are concerned that a misleading impression has been given."
If you missed my post about "Who's to blame?" for this tragedy over the weekend you might want to check it out.
BBC interview me
Yep you didn't read that incorrectly, I'm going to be on BBC Radio Five Live at some ungodly hour, 2.10am when only insomniacs, taxi drivers and internet geeks will be awake, discussing aspects of the shooting and mainly the blog's and commenters' reaction to the idea of police being armed on the London Underground. Fortunately it's pre-recorded, so I'll be at the studio much, much earlier than the broadcast time this evening.
I'll try to get a recording of it, and alternatively it is repeated in a podcast for a week, so I'll post up the link of that tomorrow. Wish me luck, I was told with all of the repeats that the audience is likely to be a million. Gulp!
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Stockwell Tube Shooting - Who is to blame?
London Underground Shooting - Dodgy eye-witness reports, police cover-ups, urban myths
More and more of the leaked documents are being published in the press now and it's fairly clear that they are genuine (why else would the whistle blower have been suspended? - although the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are refusing to comment on this).
However, as the facts are now finally beginning to emerge - it's a shame they had to come from a leaked document - everyone is wringing their hands and newspapers are reporting of calls for Police Commissioner Ian Blair's resignation. I am not in any way excusing the actions of the Met police but it wasn't just the police who were coming up with dodgy stories.
Let's look at the eye witness reports on the day of the shooting. I would have been absolutely terrified if I was in that tube carriage at Stockwell. I would have been scared witless at just hearing gun shots. If I had then left the station and had a microphone pointed in my face - what would I have done?
Well Mark Whitby gave the BBC a report which was, as we now know, not entirely accurate (Incidentally he's now giving a different report of the events).
The problem was that all these initial eye witness reports did at the time, was to perpetuate the myth that Jean Charles de Menezes was wearing a padded jacket with wires coming from it and that he vaulted the barrier - leaving the majority of us to believe at the time that he was a terrorist and deserved what was coming to him.
However, I'm still amazed about all the people, who even when it emerged that de Menezes had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks said - "well he shouldn't have been running", "well he shouldn't have vaulted the barriers" "well he shouldn't have been wearing a padded jacket".
Lots of the comments here from the post I made at the time were certainly along those lines.
I sat on the fence a bit as it was clear even then that the whole affair was a mess but I said: "It's all very easy to say you shouldn't run from the police if you're innocent. He probably felt guilty about something. What that something was, we'll never know now" and later "it would be great if people could stop blaming the victim here. I'd mentioned it before and have also felt inclined to leave messages on a variety of other blogs that are calling the guy stupid for wearing a padded jacket and for vaulting the turnstile."
At the end of the day, I spose the issue is that it isn't our job or the eye witnesses jobs to be accurate about what we say (although it's a different matter if the eyewitness is then summoned to give evidence in court). We're not getting paid to give accurate reports and descriptions about events, whereas the police are.
We ought to have every faith in the police at the moment and they are trying to protect us. But the other very sad thing about all of this, is that these issues and stories are deflecting from the excellent work the police have been doing when they caught the suspected bombers on the 29th July without injury to anyone.
In my opinion the only good thing to have come out of this is that the Police are now reviewing their shoot to kill policy.
More and more of the leaked documents are being published in the press now and it's fairly clear that they are genuine (why else would the whistle blower have been suspended? - although the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are refusing to comment on this).
However, as the facts are now finally beginning to emerge - it's a shame they had to come from a leaked document - everyone is wringing their hands and newspapers are reporting of calls for Police Commissioner Ian Blair's resignation. I am not in any way excusing the actions of the Met police but it wasn't just the police who were coming up with dodgy stories.
Let's look at the eye witness reports on the day of the shooting. I would have been absolutely terrified if I was in that tube carriage at Stockwell. I would have been scared witless at just hearing gun shots. If I had then left the station and had a microphone pointed in my face - what would I have done?
Well Mark Whitby gave the BBC a report which was, as we now know, not entirely accurate (Incidentally he's now giving a different report of the events).
The problem was that all these initial eye witness reports did at the time, was to perpetuate the myth that Jean Charles de Menezes was wearing a padded jacket with wires coming from it and that he vaulted the barrier - leaving the majority of us to believe at the time that he was a terrorist and deserved what was coming to him.
However, I'm still amazed about all the people, who even when it emerged that de Menezes had nothing to do with the terrorist attacks said - "well he shouldn't have been running", "well he shouldn't have vaulted the barriers" "well he shouldn't have been wearing a padded jacket".
Lots of the comments here from the post I made at the time were certainly along those lines.
I sat on the fence a bit as it was clear even then that the whole affair was a mess but I said: "It's all very easy to say you shouldn't run from the police if you're innocent. He probably felt guilty about something. What that something was, we'll never know now" and later "it would be great if people could stop blaming the victim here. I'd mentioned it before and have also felt inclined to leave messages on a variety of other blogs that are calling the guy stupid for wearing a padded jacket and for vaulting the turnstile."
At the end of the day, I spose the issue is that it isn't our job or the eye witnesses jobs to be accurate about what we say (although it's a different matter if the eyewitness is then summoned to give evidence in court). We're not getting paid to give accurate reports and descriptions about events, whereas the police are.
We ought to have every faith in the police at the moment and they are trying to protect us. But the other very sad thing about all of this, is that these issues and stories are deflecting from the excellent work the police have been doing when they caught the suspected bombers on the 29th July without injury to anyone.
In my opinion the only good thing to have come out of this is that the Police are now reviewing their shoot to kill policy.
Friday, August 19, 2005
London Underground Passenger Numbers returning to normal
Tube passenger numbers showing strong recovery
Transport for London today issued a press release saying that: "Passenger numbers are now down only around five per cent on last year's record numbers.
"In the weeks immediately following 7 July, LU passenger numbers were down around 10-15 per cent on weekdays and 20-25 per cent at the weekends." Blogged here - showing that the attacks seemed to be putting off tourists and out of town weekend travellers.
Mayor (London's Sheriff) Ken Livingstone said "These figures clearly demonstrate how London is returning to a more normal situation following the recent bomb attacks, reflecting the determination of Londoners to continue enjoying the attractions of our city and not to be defeated by the acts of terrorists."
The release concluded: "Last year, London Underground (LU) carried more Tube passengers in a single year - 976 million - than ever before, more than the previous high of 970 million set four years ago.
LU also ran more trains then ever before, clocking up a huge total of nearly 70 million km.
That's the equivalent of 1,735 times round the world, or 90 trips to the moon and back."
Transport for London today issued a press release saying that: "Passenger numbers are now down only around five per cent on last year's record numbers.
"In the weeks immediately following 7 July, LU passenger numbers were down around 10-15 per cent on weekdays and 20-25 per cent at the weekends." Blogged here - showing that the attacks seemed to be putting off tourists and out of town weekend travellers.
Mayor (London's Sheriff) Ken Livingstone said "These figures clearly demonstrate how London is returning to a more normal situation following the recent bomb attacks, reflecting the determination of Londoners to continue enjoying the attractions of our city and not to be defeated by the acts of terrorists."
The release concluded: "Last year, London Underground (LU) carried more Tube passengers in a single year - 976 million - than ever before, more than the previous high of 970 million set four years ago.
LU also ran more trains then ever before, clocking up a huge total of nearly 70 million km.
That's the equivalent of 1,735 times round the world, or 90 trips to the moon and back."
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Leaked Report on Man Shot at Stockwell Tube Station
Report claims mistakes led to London Underground shooting
If only to underline why I'm totally against the police carrying guns on board trains (see yesterday's post below), right now newspapers everywhere are reporting on the leaked report from ITV News who obtained secret documents and photographs supposedly from an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report which is investigating why police shot Jean Charles De Menezes dead in a London Underground carriage.
ITV News report "The documents and photographs confirm that Jean Charles was not carrying any bags, and was wearing a denim jacket, not a bulky winter coat, as had previously been claimed.
He was behaving normally, and did not vault the barriers, even stopping to pick up a free newspaper.
He started running when we saw a tube at the platform. Police had agreed they would shoot a suspect if he ran."
"A document describes CCTV footage, which shows Mr de Menezes entered Stockwell station at a "normal walking pace" and descended slowly on an escalator.
The document said: "At some point near the bottom he is seen to run across the concourse and enter the carriage before sitting in an available seat."
Obviously there is going to be a lot of speculation about the authenticity of the documents and particularly how they came to be leaked. Most newspapers and sites now show the picture of a man, one presumes Jean Charles De Menezes, lying sprawled on a bloodied tube carriage floor.
According to the BBC "The IPCC has said it will not comment on its investigation........ In a statement, the IPCC said it does not know where the documents came from and that its priority was to keep Mr de Menezes family informed."
If only to underline why I'm totally against the police carrying guns on board trains (see yesterday's post below), right now newspapers everywhere are reporting on the leaked report from ITV News who obtained secret documents and photographs supposedly from an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report which is investigating why police shot Jean Charles De Menezes dead in a London Underground carriage.
ITV News report "The documents and photographs confirm that Jean Charles was not carrying any bags, and was wearing a denim jacket, not a bulky winter coat, as had previously been claimed.
He was behaving normally, and did not vault the barriers, even stopping to pick up a free newspaper.
He started running when we saw a tube at the platform. Police had agreed they would shoot a suspect if he ran."
"A document describes CCTV footage, which shows Mr de Menezes entered Stockwell station at a "normal walking pace" and descended slowly on an escalator. The document said: "At some point near the bottom he is seen to run across the concourse and enter the carriage before sitting in an available seat."
Obviously there is going to be a lot of speculation about the authenticity of the documents and particularly how they came to be leaked. Most newspapers and sites now show the picture of a man, one presumes Jean Charles De Menezes, lying sprawled on a bloodied tube carriage floor.
According to the BBC "The IPCC has said it will not comment on its investigation........ In a statement, the IPCC said it does not know where the documents came from and that its priority was to keep Mr de Menezes family informed."
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Public wants armed officers aboard trains
Erm, how many passengers exactly?The Standard had a large feature yesterday saying "Passengers today called for full-time armed police to patrol trains in the ongoing battle against suicide bombers".
I would love to know how many people they asked in their "straw poll of commuters" to come up with this claim, as this is not mentioned at all in the feature.
Personally, I'm not too wild about having armed police in the carriages of tube trains or any trains for that matter. I suppose I've got used to seeing armed police around more now, but I'm far happier seeing them in larger stations out in the open. Can you imagine the damage that could be done on a packed commuter carriage if the train suddenly jerked or came to an abrupt halt (which every commuter knows happens a lot of the time), if an armed police officer was on it?
On the New York subway, you're not supposed to drink out of open containers, for goodness sake, I imagine for the damage you might cause if a hot drink is spilt on someone. I'd rather have a drink accidentally spilt on myself, than a barrel of a gun accidentally pointing at me.
Anyway, enough of me. Doing a bit of searching, I found that according to some research which actually lists how many people were polled, that I'm not exactly in the minority:
YouGov in conjunction with the Daily Mirror & GMTV carried out online interviews with 1,671 British adults from July 22 - 24th and a similar question was asked, with the following results:
Should we have armed police patrolling trains and buses?
Should 49%
Should not 39%
Don't know 13%
(Not quite sure why the figures don't add up to exactly 100% though????? - Statistics never were my strong point)
Contrarily, though, when asked:
Should all police officers in Britain be armed?
Should 33%
Should not 59%
Don't know 8%
The highlights of the research are here.
Fortunately, it seems like the police actually have better ideas than patrolling trains with arms. The Standard article, concluded by pointing out that a police source said "We do want to maintain an increased presence and vigilance around the transport network and sustain the present level for some time to come."
A greater emphasis is being placed on hidden tactics to disrupt "hostile surveillance" by terrorists on the Tube network. More people are being brought in to monitor CCTV cameras at key stations and more covert officers will work with the CCTV watchers on the ground. "We want to try to pick up people planning an attack before they do it," a source said.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Sick Tube Game and Sick Football "Fans"
Tasteless Tube Game & Idiotic Football Chants
Just learnt of two disturbing things in the last five minutes. Firstly, Geoff emailed me a link to a story in The Sun, where there is an internet game called "Mind The Bomb" - "where virtual suicide bombers blow themselves up on the London Underground.
"In the twisted game - called Mind The Bombs - terrorists have boarded trains and you have to stop them carrying out their missions by defusing the explosives.
"If you fail, the fanatics - shown travelling around the London on the famous Tube map - blow themselves to smithereens just like on 7/7.
"Smoke pours from the carriages and ambulance sirens can be heard in a chilling reminder of the terror attacks which killed 52 people."
Sun shock horror hysterics aside - it's a really tasteless idea. In the interests of research I tried to visit the site to find out more about it. (I'm not gracing it with a link you can find it yourself reasonably easily). Firstly there's loads of porn pop ups that greet you, so you know it's going to be a site of good taste. Secondly my browser wouldn't load it, when I refreshed it there was a message across the top saying "Do your part in the war against Terrorism email this FREE GAME to all of your friends, family and associates!" How playing a game like that is in any way doing your bit for the war against terrorism is beyond me.
A spokesperson from the London Underground said : "Anybody involved in the making or viewing of this game would do well to stop and think about that."
Technology site - The Register takes a slightly different view: "We're inclined to agree, although the Sun in its apoplectic state has missed a fundamental point - Mind the Bombs is complete and utter crap. In fact, the only interesting thing about the whole exercise is that a tempting "More Games" link on the site leads straight to listings for online casinos. Naughty, naughty, Mr Fieler (the game's creator)- we wouldn't like to think you are trying to squeeze some cash out of this contribution to the war against terrorism."
Football chants - "You're just a town full of bombers"
Just heard on the radio, that on Saturday, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) fans (based in Shepherd's Bush in West London) were subjected to taunts from Hull fans about the London attacks.
"One QPR fan, called Val, who was at the game, told BBC News: "Suddenly the Hull fans started shouting songs about the London bombings.
"It was really upsetting. We came out of the ground in tears. I couldn't believe it."
Hull's police commander Ch Supt Sean White, said: "I fully agree with the sentiments of anger and disgust.
"We're talking about 30 to 40 shameless cowards who made these chants towards the end of the game. We're just not going to tolerate them.
"We did intervene and made a number of arrests on Saturday. It has brought a great deal of shame to Hull City."
The police are now making an investigation. See the full BBC news feature for more on this.
Just learnt of two disturbing things in the last five minutes. Firstly, Geoff emailed me a link to a story in The Sun, where there is an internet game called "Mind The Bomb" - "where virtual suicide bombers blow themselves up on the London Underground. "In the twisted game - called Mind The Bombs - terrorists have boarded trains and you have to stop them carrying out their missions by defusing the explosives.
"If you fail, the fanatics - shown travelling around the London on the famous Tube map - blow themselves to smithereens just like on 7/7.
"Smoke pours from the carriages and ambulance sirens can be heard in a chilling reminder of the terror attacks which killed 52 people."
Sun shock horror hysterics aside - it's a really tasteless idea. In the interests of research I tried to visit the site to find out more about it. (I'm not gracing it with a link you can find it yourself reasonably easily). Firstly there's loads of porn pop ups that greet you, so you know it's going to be a site of good taste. Secondly my browser wouldn't load it, when I refreshed it there was a message across the top saying "Do your part in the war against Terrorism email this FREE GAME to all of your friends, family and associates!" How playing a game like that is in any way doing your bit for the war against terrorism is beyond me.
A spokesperson from the London Underground said : "Anybody involved in the making or viewing of this game would do well to stop and think about that."
Technology site - The Register takes a slightly different view: "We're inclined to agree, although the Sun in its apoplectic state has missed a fundamental point - Mind the Bombs is complete and utter crap. In fact, the only interesting thing about the whole exercise is that a tempting "More Games" link on the site leads straight to listings for online casinos. Naughty, naughty, Mr Fieler (the game's creator)- we wouldn't like to think you are trying to squeeze some cash out of this contribution to the war against terrorism."
Football chants - "You're just a town full of bombers"
Just heard on the radio, that on Saturday, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) fans (based in Shepherd's Bush in West London) were subjected to taunts from Hull fans about the London attacks.
"One QPR fan, called Val, who was at the game, told BBC News: "Suddenly the Hull fans started shouting songs about the London bombings.
"It was really upsetting. We came out of the ground in tears. I couldn't believe it."
Hull's police commander Ch Supt Sean White, said: "I fully agree with the sentiments of anger and disgust.
"We're talking about 30 to 40 shameless cowards who made these chants towards the end of the game. We're just not going to tolerate them.
"We did intervene and made a number of arrests on Saturday. It has brought a great deal of shame to Hull City."
The police are now making an investigation. See the full BBC news feature for more on this.
Monday, August 08, 2005
More Tube Fear reported
Today's Metro Momento
According to today's Metro commuters who've been worried about travelling on public transport since the attacks, "are increasingly seeking professional help".
But apparently our wariness of fellow passengers is "a healthy response, according to psychologist Keith Guy an expert in post traumatic stress disorder. He said it would become a problem only when that fear and anxiety started taking over people's lives"
Mr Guy has even compiled a checklist with "tips to help Londoners manage their fears"....."Avoiding situations that make people feel anxious could worsen their stress in the long term".
Maybe it's the carriages I travel in or the times I travel but I can't say I've seen anyone look frightened or wary on the tube since the attacks, or perhaps they are just good at covering it up. I had a bit of a moment last week Monday when we were stuck at Holborn waiting for the train to move on as there had been a problem with the train in front. Normally, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, apart from being a bit riled that I'd be late - but on that day I did begin to think "What if?". A woman next to me was shaking her leg irritatingly but apart from that everyone else looked non-plussed. After five minutes we trundled off and it was forgotten.
However, I can imagine that people who witnessed the bombings or people leaving the sites would be traumatised and totally sympathise with all those people.
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Leading on from that Metro have also published a story on 34 year old Dominic Nelder, "Dressed in comedy pinstripe suit, bowler hat and Dr Marten boots", will travel throughout the London Underground from 7am - 8pm "in a bid to ease the tensions that last month's attacks have brought to the Tube".
"He asks that as part of the Say Hello, Wave Goodbye campaign that commuters help Transport for London make travel friendlier by simply returning his greetings. the history teacher, who has had 4,000 goodwill responses so far, said he took inspiration from a woman who wept on her first Tube journey after July 7, only to be comforted by a fellow survivor.
'It's to break the anonymity that helps terrorists and to make people feel less awkward' " the history teacher from North London said. Check out his local paper The Enfield Independent for more on this.
According to today's Metro commuters who've been worried about travelling on public transport since the attacks, "are increasingly seeking professional help".
But apparently our wariness of fellow passengers is "a healthy response, according to psychologist Keith Guy an expert in post traumatic stress disorder. He said it would become a problem only when that fear and anxiety started taking over people's lives"
Mr Guy has even compiled a checklist with "tips to help Londoners manage their fears"....."Avoiding situations that make people feel anxious could worsen their stress in the long term".
Maybe it's the carriages I travel in or the times I travel but I can't say I've seen anyone look frightened or wary on the tube since the attacks, or perhaps they are just good at covering it up. I had a bit of a moment last week Monday when we were stuck at Holborn waiting for the train to move on as there had been a problem with the train in front. Normally, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, apart from being a bit riled that I'd be late - but on that day I did begin to think "What if?". A woman next to me was shaking her leg irritatingly but apart from that everyone else looked non-plussed. After five minutes we trundled off and it was forgotten.
However, I can imagine that people who witnessed the bombings or people leaving the sites would be traumatised and totally sympathise with all those people.
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye
Leading on from that Metro have also published a story on 34 year old Dominic Nelder, "Dressed in comedy pinstripe suit, bowler hat and Dr Marten boots", will travel throughout the London Underground from 7am - 8pm "in a bid to ease the tensions that last month's attacks have brought to the Tube".
"He asks that as part of the Say Hello, Wave Goodbye campaign that commuters help Transport for London make travel friendlier by simply returning his greetings. the history teacher, who has had 4,000 goodwill responses so far, said he took inspiration from a woman who wept on her first Tube journey after July 7, only to be comforted by a fellow survivor.
'It's to break the anonymity that helps terrorists and to make people feel less awkward' " the history teacher from North London said. Check out his local paper The Enfield Independent for more on this.
Friday, August 05, 2005
I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me
And I have no privacy.....w'oh, oh, ohWith apologies to Rockwell, but that song seems to be our theme tune at the moment on the tube.
I suppose I'm always aware of people watching me on the London Underground itself, as for years I've been looking suspicious trying to take pictures of commuters for the blog without them noticing. Usually the person I'm photographing doesn't notice, but the people sitting next to me often do, and probably think I'm a psycho. But hey it's the Tube, no one says anything (perhaps that will change now).
However, with all the police around at the moment and lots of people checking out the rucksacks of everyone else, now many more of us get that feeling of being watched.
What I have become more aware of is CCTV on the tube, specially as Metro helpfully published an article telling us just how many CCTV cameras there are on the tube. Again, to quote Rockwell "Do the people on TV see me or am I just paranoid?" - certainly people in the control rooms where CCTV is operating see you. There are 6,000 cameras in place on London Underground. "As part of the Public Private Partnerships with Metronet and Tube Lines, this is set to rise to at least 12,000 by 2010. The plans are welcomed by the BTP (British Transport Police), which has 681 officers dedicated to the Tube and around 600 officers patrolling the mainline stations in London.".....
"Acknowledgement of CCTV's importance has come from the top. Andy Trotter, BTP Deputy Chief Constable told last week's meeting of the London Transport Users Committee (LTUC): 'CCTV is essential to our work - we would not have got to where we are today without it.'
Sing a-long now!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Police stop and search tube poster
Seen at Waterloo station
Doubtless most people have heard about the stop and search policy on the London Underground and the discussions saying that it's unlikely that "white old ladies" would be stopped and that Asian men were more likely targets.
Yesterday morning I actually saw a poster saying that people might be stopped and searched. I was in a rush, so the picture's a bit blurry (also, not helped by the fact that you can't use flash on the Tube)
It said: "To help keep the Tube safe you may be approached by British Transport Police officers carrying out searches. Your cooperation in this exercise is valued. More information will be supplied by the police at the time of the search".
As yet, I've not seen anyone actually being searched though (I don't count my recent encounter with the police), although there were a number of pictures in Metro a couple of days ago with Asian blokes being searched.
Doubtless most people have heard about the stop and search policy on the London Underground and the discussions saying that it's unlikely that "white old ladies" would be stopped and that Asian men were more likely targets.
Yesterday morning I actually saw a poster saying that people might be stopped and searched. I was in a rush, so the picture's a bit blurry (also, not helped by the fact that you can't use flash on the Tube)
It said: "To help keep the Tube safe you may be approached by British Transport Police officers carrying out searches. Your cooperation in this exercise is valued. More information will be supplied by the police at the time of the search".
As yet, I've not seen anyone actually being searched though (I don't count my recent encounter with the police), although there were a number of pictures in Metro a couple of days ago with Asian blokes being searched.
Tube Passenger numbers dropped - and Travel Update
Figures on numbers of tube passengers since the London Attacks
A couple of days ago I blogged about the drop in passenger numbers on the tube. At the time it seemed hard to see by what percentage. But the BBC report have just spoken to a senior manager at the tube and say:
"Tube passenger numbers have dropped by 30% at weekends and between 5% and 15% on weekdays, since the 7 July bombings".
And this seems to clarify my earlier thoughts that commuter levels are about the same but tourists and non regular travellers are travelling on the tube less.
Circle Line - Partial Service
Also according to the BBC article, the Circle Line is partially up and running in the rush hour period, with a shuttle service every 20 minutes between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 6.15pm from today, with the service expected to improve over the next few days. Nothing on the Tube's website as yet to confirm that though.
A couple of days ago I blogged about the drop in passenger numbers on the tube. At the time it seemed hard to see by what percentage. But the BBC report have just spoken to a senior manager at the tube and say:
"Tube passenger numbers have dropped by 30% at weekends and between 5% and 15% on weekdays, since the 7 July bombings".
And this seems to clarify my earlier thoughts that commuter levels are about the same but tourists and non regular travellers are travelling on the tube less.
Circle Line - Partial Service
Also according to the BBC article, the Circle Line is partially up and running in the rush hour period, with a shuttle service every 20 minutes between 7am and 9am and between 4pm and 6.15pm from today, with the service expected to improve over the next few days. Nothing on the Tube's website as yet to confirm that though.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Tube Passenger numbers have fallen since July 7th
Transport for London say London Underground passengers have dropped
So it wasn't just me noticing that it was a lot quieter in the West End last night. I spose because I travel in the morning just outside the rush hour, I've not really noticed fewer people on the tube - well apart from the days immediately after July 7th. Going home at around 6.30 at night the tube to me seemed as crowded as normal. Perhaps it's not really that commuter numbers have dropped, but more of the effect on tourists.
In an article in Media Week - Chris Townsend, Group Marketing Director at Transport for London, says the fall in numbers is also due to "the summer holidays and the fact that the network is not running at full capacity".
Metro also echoed this view today reporting that officials said the drop in passengers is related to fewer trains running.
However, The Economist quite rightly report that we will all learn to live with it and expect passenger levels to increase again. "Andrew Evans, of the transport research unit at Imperial College, says people often declare they will never return to a network that has suffered a calamity. But most soon do so." Apparently, the exception was the King's Cross fire in 1987 but "Even then, passenger numbers fell below expectations by just 6% in the first year and returned to normal within three years."
So it wasn't just me noticing that it was a lot quieter in the West End last night. I spose because I travel in the morning just outside the rush hour, I've not really noticed fewer people on the tube - well apart from the days immediately after July 7th. Going home at around 6.30 at night the tube to me seemed as crowded as normal. Perhaps it's not really that commuter numbers have dropped, but more of the effect on tourists.
In an article in Media Week - Chris Townsend, Group Marketing Director at Transport for London, says the fall in numbers is also due to "the summer holidays and the fact that the network is not running at full capacity".
Metro also echoed this view today reporting that officials said the drop in passengers is related to fewer trains running.
However, The Economist quite rightly report that we will all learn to live with it and expect passenger levels to increase again. "Andrew Evans, of the transport research unit at Imperial College, says people often declare they will never return to a network that has suffered a calamity. But most soon do so." Apparently, the exception was the King's Cross fire in 1987 but "Even then, passenger numbers fell below expectations by just 6% in the first year and returned to normal within three years."
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Terrorist Escaped from Waterloo Station
Some of the tabloids today are sensationally showing amazement and shock at how one of the bombers from the 21st July managed to leave the country by train at Waterloo on Tuesday.Today's Sunday Mirror said:
"Unbelievably, it emerged that Osman had been able to slip out of London on a Eurostar train on Tuesday - five days after the abortive London suicide attacks - despite his picture being circulated at every port and airport in a massive security clampdown.........
"Meanwhile an inquiry is under way into how Osman made a mockery of Britain's security clampdown by boarding a train to Paris. He escaped under the noses of a Special Branch police squad based at Waterloo International station. From Paris, he travelled to Milan and then on to Rome. Police were able to track him by tracing calls made from a mobile phone belonging to his brother-in-law."
I use Waterloo station most days. I often walk past one of the entrances to Eurostar from the London Underground (see picture on the above) and have noticed loads of police throughout Waterloo station and I'm sure there's plenty at the Eurostar boarding section too. Like many thousands of commuters I could have easily walked past Hussain Osman, despite his (admittedly rather blurry) image being shown on posters all around the station. (I wonder if he was helpfully still wearing that vest he seems to live in?)
Anyway, while all the investigations and enquiries continue, let's not forget, that in the end the police did manage to track him down, he was caught, and that the other three suspects were arrested in the UK. I'm sure now we will be seeing even more police presence at Waterloo and hopefully even tighter security at all stations.
To make and view Comments see main post
Friday, July 29, 2005
All suspected bombers arrrested - London and Rome
Two women arrested at Liverpool Street stationLiverpool Street station was briefly closed at around 2pm this afternoon as as two women wearing Islamic veils were arrested.
Artur Yeroshin, a 21-year-old working at a shoe cleaning booth on the station concourse, filmed the arrests on his mobile telephone, with footage showing a policeman pinning one woman to the floor as other officers cleared the station.
British Transport Police said: "A number of packages were examined, but the stations have now been reopened." The station was re-opened at 3.20pm.
See the BBC for more on this.
[Update 6pm - All four suspects from 21st July now arrested]
Meanwhile it's being reported that the two men arrested today in raids in Notting Hill and North Kensington may be two of the the suspected bombers from the 21st July failed attacks. Again the BBC has the low down on this.
I've just heard on the radio that there's been a further arrest in Rome! I've just been watching Sky News. This certainly appears to have now been confirmed by several news agencies that the man arrested in Rome is Osman Hussain. He is thought to have attempted to set off a bomb at Shepherd's Bush.
The police will be making a press conference about today's dramatic events at 7pm tonight.
[Update 7.25pm - Police statement on the arrests]
I've just watched the police statement by DAC Peter Clarke. Roughly he said that it had been a day of "intense activity" and that "important developments" had been made. He confirmed that three arrests had been made in West London. One in Tavistock Square, near Notting Hill, and two men arrested at a Peabody Trust estate in Dalgarno Gardens, North Kensington. The two men there failed to surrender and "specialist tactics" were used to get the men from the building. Since then, one of the men identified himself as Muktar Said Ibrahaim. Clarke also said that "another man of interest to the investigations has been detained in Rome" and that Italian authorities named him as Hussain Osman.
No questions were allowed after the statement as nothing more could be said as it might "prejudice the right of any individual to obtain a fair trial". Clarke stressed that the safety of the public is paramount. "There will be more very visible police activity." He was grateful for the public's continuing support and understanding. However, "We must not be complacent. The threat remains, and is very real. The public must be watchful and alert. I would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to keep you safe". Full police press statement here.
Absolutely amazing day and it's fantastic that these guys were all alive as hopefully this will lead to even more potential bombers being arrested.
What a striking picture
Speaking of "very visible police activity". It's not directly linked with today's events but Tony Preece's picture below of armed police eating McFlurrys in a McDonalds in Leeds station on the day raids were made in Leeds on the 13th, is just, well, totally surreal, on so many levels!
Tony had a chat with one of them after taking the picture and says in his blog "he and his armed colleagues are called out all the time, the only difference between them and the normal police force is that they aren't seen that often and hopefully that will always be the case in this country".
Jean Charles de Menezes buried in Gonzaga
Finally, we must not forget that today was also the funeral of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian man shot by police at Stockwell Tube station. This was held in his home town of Gonzaga. A London vigil at Parliament Square was also held to coincide with the funeral.
To make and view Comments see main post
London Underground and unions met today over safety issues
Largest number of police on London Transport as transport unions talk
Yesterday British Transport Police carried out its "largest ever deployment" and presence on tube and railway stations to reassure commuters. From Yahoo News - love the headline - British Police Flood Trains and Buses - "Spokesman Simon Lubin refused to reveal how many officers were deployed, but he said 1,300 officers in the capital and about the same number across Britain were working longer hours, and some vacations were cancelled". (Mmmm - who was it who told me on
Monday Police didn't want the public to know their movements?)
Later today (as blogged on Wednesday with some interesting comments) the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union met to discuss security issues.
There had been threats of industrial action if their safety fears are not allayed. RMT leader Bob Crowe said "We're not saying that we want changes overnight or tomorra. We wanna know from London Underground that they've got a programme that will put measures in place."
Fortunately the RMT were happy with the plans which means a strike isn't on the cards. Mayor Ken Livingstone made a commitment not to reduce staffing and agreed that any train without a working communications radio would be taken out of service.
There would also be more discussions on matters such as better emergency training and equipment, including breathing apparatus for rail staff and the strengthening of drivers' cabs.
However, the re-introduction of guards which was something the RMT wanted was not agreed. "Rail guards were last in operation in 1999 on the Northern Line and were phased out with the introduction of CCTV on trains which allowed drivers to see the platform." See the BBC for the full story on this.
To make an view Comments see main post
Yesterday British Transport Police carried out its "largest ever deployment" and presence on tube and railway stations to reassure commuters. From Yahoo News - love the headline - British Police Flood Trains and Buses - "Spokesman Simon Lubin refused to reveal how many officers were deployed, but he said 1,300 officers in the capital and about the same number across Britain were working longer hours, and some vacations were cancelled". (Mmmm - who was it who told me on
Monday Police didn't want the public to know their movements?)
Later today (as blogged on Wednesday with some interesting comments) the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union met to discuss security issues.
There had been threats of industrial action if their safety fears are not allayed. RMT leader Bob Crowe said "We're not saying that we want changes overnight or tomorra. We wanna know from London Underground that they've got a programme that will put measures in place."
Fortunately the RMT were happy with the plans which means a strike isn't on the cards. Mayor Ken Livingstone made a commitment not to reduce staffing and agreed that any train without a working communications radio would be taken out of service.
There would also be more discussions on matters such as better emergency training and equipment, including breathing apparatus for rail staff and the strengthening of drivers' cabs.
However, the re-introduction of guards which was something the RMT wanted was not agreed. "Rail guards were last in operation in 1999 on the Northern Line and were phased out with the introduction of CCTV on trains which allowed drivers to see the platform." See the BBC for the full story on this.
To make an view Comments see main post
Links
- London Underground Blog
- Annie Mole's non London Underground Blog
- Going Underground
- One Stop Short of Barking - Uncovering the London Underground
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