Cameras watch the QR Citytrain network

New Year’s Eve revellers be warned - unruly behaviour will be captured on film as Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras continue to be installed across the Citytrain network.

Minister for Transport John Mickel today said about 5500 cameras were already operational at QR Citytrain railway stations, car parks and on carriages, offering 24 hour surveillance.

He said offenders should think twice before committing crimes on the Queensland Rail (QR) network.

“Queensland Police make around 3000 requests per year for footage related to offences captured on the CCTV cameras,’’ Mr Mickel said.

“Once the footage is handed to police it becomes their responsibility to locate, charge and prosecute offenders.’’

Mr Mickel said almost $10 million had been allocated to upgrade CCTV cameras from analogue to a state-of-the-art digital system as part of an election commitment given by the former Beattie Government.

So far 72 stations had been upgraded, with cameras to be added to another 23 stations and sealed car parks.

“CCTV will operate in all Citytrain stations and sealed car parks within 18 months,’’ Mr Mickel said.

He said QR’s main priority was passenger safety and the CCTV system was one of many security measures set in place to curb crime on the network.

“QR advises me that the rate of criminal activity on the Citytrain network remains significantly lower on its property than across the general community,” Mr Mickel said.

“Assaults on the network account for only two to three per cent of such offences throughout the entire area surrounding the network.

“Serious crime on the network has not climbed in recent years despite considerable patronage growth.”

Mr Mickel said random patrols by Queensland Police, railway squad officers, transit officers and private security guards were frequently held across all QR trains.

“A dedicated 54-member QPS Railway Squad patrols the network in uniform or plain clothes, from early in the morning until the last train every day,” he said.

“About 80 Translink transit officers closely monitor passenger behaviour, control fare evasion and provide a security presence and customer assistance.

"Private security guards are also present on about 40 per cent of Citytrain services after 6pm to deter crime. These services are identified as 'Guardian Trains' in Citytrain timetables.”

Mr Mickel said measures to combat crime and antisocial behaviour were constantly being reviewed and, where necessary, updated to meet the changing security environment.

CCTV - fast facts:

• Currently there are 3500 cameras located at 120 Citytrain stations and sealed carparks along the Queensland Rail network. A further 2000 cameras have been installed on random Citytrain carriages.

• In the next 18 months additional CCTV cameras will be installed at 23 stations and sealed carparks which currently do not have CCTV. These stations include those on the outer Ipswich line and outer northern line.

• In addition, CCTV cameras will be installed within the next year at locations including Roma Street, Central and Brunswick Street Stations and the tunnels in between.

• Around $7.3 million is being spent to upgrade CCTV recording equipment from analogue to digital technology at 72 stations. A further $2.3 million will be spent to install CCTV at the 23 stations and carparks currently without cameras.

• The digital upgrade began in October 2007 and is expected to take between two to three years to complete.

• CCTV is monitored by station staff at local stations and by security monitoring officers at Mayne Control Centre. Officers monitor the CCTV cameras 24 hours and respond to a variety of security alarms, including emergency help phones found at all stations.

• A Queensland Police Railway Squad officer is stationed at Mayne Control Centre every night from 6pm until the last train to co-ordinate appropriate responses to security incidents.

• All CCTV footage from stations and train carriages is recorded.

• Footage is provided to police upon request or verbal approval of the railway station inspector but can be viewed at individual stations in cases where urgent police action is required.

• In the event cameras are damaged, replacement costs are estimated to be around $1500.

• Interviews with of Citytrain passengers and Gold Coast residents revealed the inclusion of CCTV gave them peace of mind when travelling on the rail network. (Interviews conducted by Bond University in partnership with QR).

Media contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

December 31, 2007