This week, Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve writes exclusively to Bucks Free Press readers:

Back in 2001, the Bourne End station in my constituency was one of the first ever to achieve accreditation as a secure station, meeting stringent guidelines on such issues as the provision of CCTV cameras, lighting and the security of the station and immediate areas. Accreditation first began in 1998.

I was delighted that one of the local stations led the way on such an important issue and congratulated the station’s staff and the police for such a positive commitment to the campaign to reduce crime on our railways.

As with all such schemes, it is always essential to keep them updated and refreshed. There was a major review through 2017 and 2018, which introduced new measures, including better safeguarding for vulnerable people and ways to help protect those who may sadly try to take their own lives.

Charities like Samaritans and the Railway Children have been working with the British Transport Police to help individuals to feel supported and safe on the railways. The Samaritans organisation have trained more than 17,000 railway staff to be aware of the needs of vulnerable people and intervene to help them.

There are now more than 673 stations in Britain which have accreditation and more than 170 have either become accredited for the first time or have had their status reconfirmed, since the ‘refresh’ in 2017.

With more than 4 million people travelling by rail every day in the UK, the British Transport Chief Constable reassured the public, this January, that the chance of becoming a victim of crime is comparatively low. Paul Crowther said that there are only 19 recorded crimes for every million passenger journeys.

Secure stations are part of the effort to reduce crime and help to make people’s journeys as safe as possible.