new security

[5872]

A new Security thing seems to be around the network including 'SWT' , Ive just been down for a drive to Teddington and a security guy comes up and says ''Not being funny but can you leave the station please due to a new security thing'' So he says we have to email swt to get permissionhock:


Fredhock:hock:hock:

 

[Daniel]

Now, you say it's going round the "network", including SWT, but have you had the exact same thing said to you anywhere other than Teddington..?

 

[richa2002]

We can't let these bastards from stopping us from what we enjoy doing. Take the guidelines and hope for the best. If all else fails, just sod it and try and find a lineside location where you can usually get better photos and not be bothered by 'security guards' or jobsworths.

 

[5872]

We can't let these bastards from stopping us from what we enjoy doing. Take the guidelines and hope for the best. If all else fails, just sod it and try and find a lineside location where you can usually get better photos and not be bothered by 'security guards' or jobsworths.

Yeah but it might include line side because if a Driver or an inspector sees you , your done for

 

[Jim]

Just incase you haven't realised fred, but the country is on the highest terror alert ever, so you must understand he was probabally only doing what he was told to do
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yeah but it might include line side because if a Driver or an inspector sees you , your done for

Why would you be done for if you are on a footbridge or hill next to the railway line

 

[Max]

Yeah but it might include line side because if a Driver or an inspector sees you , your done for

They can't stop you from photting line-side, as it is public land and not privately owned by the railways.

 

[devon_metro]

I can understand why they are on high alert although I don't have a clue what risk a 13 (?) year old faces... :roll:

 

[nath9425]

If all else fails, just sod it and try and find a lineside location where you can usually get better photos and not be bothered by 'security guards' or jobsworths.

Same happened to me on the Chiltern Network!Now I just go north of Banbury to a public foot crossing! "Stand Behind the gate" Just to be safe and so the phone doesnt go off from the signal man next to me! Now I get the perfect shot with trains topping the bend!

Plus you get a good sun set and you can watch the rabbits! All free of charge

 

[5872]

Just incase you haven't realised fred, but the country is on the highest terror alert ever, so you must understand he was probabally only doing what he was told to do

I know he was only doing his job im not dumb:cry: Why'd you think I was telling everyone what might* happen because it is there jobs* to do it*

Fred:-?

 

[class 313]

I know he was only doing his job im not dumb:cry: Why'd you think I was telling everyone what might* happen because it is there jobs* to do it*

Fred:-?

I don't know why, but I can hardly believe a security person would say what you quoted.

''Not being funny but can you leave the station please due to a new security thing''

 

[Tom]

I can. It's happened to me.

 

[First ScotRail]

Forth Rail bridge is being observed by the police, glc and edb have enhanced security and police (with what i have heard some random searches).

 

[Coxster]

Next time try letting the station staff/manager know what you want to do before you start photographing. A week after 7/7 they had police officers on pretty much every station in and around London that I went to/passed (even small stations), but because I had let the station staff know what I wanted to do, when the coppers did approach me they just confirmed my 'story' with the station staff and let me get on with it.

 

[Jim]

Next time try letting the station staff/manager know what you want to do before you start photographing. A week after 7/7 they had police officers on pretty much every station in and around London that I went to/passed (even small stations), but because I had let the station staff know what I wanted to do, when the coppers did approach me they just confirmed my 'story' with the station staff and let me get on with it.

Which led you open to no problems as you did everything to comply with the photography guidelines!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I can understand why they are on high alert although I don't have a clue what risk a 13 (?) year old faces... :roll:

That would be age discrimination though if he then found someone else older doing the same thing, and telling them off, becuase he thinks there is a real threat from them

But then again, who knew what risk that Merc parked outside the nightclub in London possed, nobody until somebody spotted smoke in it!

 

[TheSlash]

I think you need to consider that we have had near misses with 3 major terror attacks in 2 days, one of which was aimed at a major transport location.

 

[ChrisCooper]

Of cource though, they would change their tune pretty quick if it turned out one of your photos happened to be of use in the investigation of an incident. Also, it's important to remember that by reducing people's freedoms we're letting the bastards win. Vigilance is one thing, and if that involves checking people who are suspect, thats one thing (e.g finding who they are, what they are doing, perhaps even searching them), but stopping people going about their normal lives and doing lawful, harmless activities is going too far, and is giving the terrorists what they want. It also causes tension and mistrust between the public and the police. Perhaps an enthusiast who has been stopped from taking photos might decide not to come forward with evidance or photos that might be crucial to preventing a future attack. Enthusiasts are a valuble asset in transport safety and security, and in so many areas we've seen how alienating a minority community can lead to a wall of silence.

 

[NSEFAN]

It's important to be polite to the police officers if they want to have a word with you.

Some peoples' first reaction is to be violent or rude if questioned by an officer (I am told that Hampshire Police are extra-annoying and will question anybody ). If you just say, "I'm a railway enthusiast just going about my own business" they can't argue with that, although when on stations (especially in busy stations) it's best to ask permission.

At busy times, it's also best just to avoid big stations as there will most probably be officers on duty who will get suspicious of someone taking pictures. I personally tend to avoid big stations anyway, unless I so happen to be needing to travel through them on other business. Even then I only may grab a couple of pictures with my camera if I have enough time in between connections.

I know that not going out and staying locked up in our homes and spying on everyone else is letting the terrorists win, but as long as you just don't look suspicious and are careful then it'll be ok to go out and enjoy the hobby. The best way to get over the questioning and suspicions is just to go out there and be honest and polite to anyone who questions you.

But maybe until things have calmed down a bit it would be an idea to leave visiting London (and other major city) stations for a little while, so as not to bother the officers on patrol and be embarrassed with a search.

 

[Daniel]

I'm never embarrassed by a search. I'm always "polite" but make sure the officers know what/why they're doing - (which bylaw etc).

 

[Nathan]

Never happened to me before. But then again Parkstone isnt really staffed so with any luck im still on to see 76079 + PoB down to Swanage. Its due to stand at Bournemouth for 10 or so minutes I wonder if they'll really kick of x number of people at once.

 

[TheSlash]

Enthusiasts are indeed a bonus to the railway, but arrogant trainspotters are a hinderance.
Hampshire police? I've heard of them, i think it's just a vicious rumor though, started by PCSO {Plastic Policeman}. Hampshire ceased to have an effective police force years ago.

 

[Tom]

Fortunately I know all the DSMs down at Bomo now so I should have no problems when photting down there....

 

[Mojo]

Antisocial pests? Or are trainspotters being used as a scapegoat?

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news?articleid=2995452

 

[Donny Dave]

Antisocial pests? Or are trainspotters being used as a scapegoat?

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news?articleid=2995452

Being used as scapegoats in my opinion....

Map showing the bridge in question. All there is along that line is an hourly service to Knottingly, and the occasional freight and ECS move, so only desperate spotters would go there....

 

[Jim]

I'm never embarrassed by a search. I'm always "polite" but make sure the officers know what/why they're doing - (which bylaw etc).

Agree, only someone who has been searched (like me) can say this though, I was perfectly happy with it, I told him what I was doing as well

 

[ChrisCooper]

There are a few who I wouldn't put above doing that sort of thing, but there are good and bad in every group. Sadly, in all cases the bad spoil it for the good. Often though, the good are just as much to blaim for turning a blind eye, refusing to condem or even justifying the behavior of the bad minority, whether due to trying to "stand up for your own", apathy, or fear of reprisal. Oviously, it's a two way problem since if people on the other side are refusing to condem or even justifying the actions of their bad minority, then people will hardly condem their own.

 

[5872]

People , Im going to try a lineside next weekend to film 455s Tell you how it goes

 

[class 313]

People , Im going to try a lineside next weekend to film 455s Tell you how it goes

Please don't, as I can answer it for you. Boring :grin:

Anyway, I can see why the police and the BTP will be stricter now cos of the new threat. But, arnt photographers on the railways a good thing? As they can get the photos of whats going on fast and first?

 

[Mojo]

The point is - is any terrorist really going to take any photographs and raise suspicion - there are a number of photos already out there on the internet, and if they're told to go away by anyone, they'll just go back another day or take phots from somewhere else, or by using more discreet means such as mini or hidden cameras.

 

[Lewisham2221]

I suppose it's partly to do with making it look like the police are doing something. How effective it is at actually combatting terrorism is irrelevant - the public are more likely to be reassured by a police presence/seeing police questioning/searcing people than just being told that 'behind the scenes' investigations are taking place.

Armed police on patrol at Stoke and Crewe stations this morning, local paper interviewed a few passengers at Stoke, one response "I welcome the heightened security" another "Who is going to bomb here?"

 

[960012]

Talking of Police and sercurity etc, today i walked passed to armed policemen at Poole station with my camera out ready to phot the STD 4 niether of them worried as to wat i was doing walking to the end of the platform, the travel safe guy that was with them even came down to tell us it was at Bournemouth for a while!