The security myth !

A lot of people are worried by the plan to reduce staff at railway stations - and to make many stations unattended over weekend periods.

They are assured that stringent security measures will replace humans - and that CCTV cameras will be watching and that help will arrive once a traveller pushes that big red alarm button.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As the number of CCTV cameras increases this is not matched by the number of control staff watching monitors. It is impossible for a human being to watch a vast number of screens at the same time, and in many instances security is served by one person watching a singular screen - which has scenes from dozens of cameras scrolling in a random pattern.

CCTV cameras are not designed to provide immediate help. Their main purpose is to provide after-the-event evidence to enable the authorities to clear up a crime and secure a conviction.

Every hour of every day we are being observed by a huge number of CCTV cameras and once a crime is reported it is an easy matter to consult the cameras covering the crime area, observe the crime being committed, identify the offender - and take it from there.

That has absolutely nothing to do with preventing the crime happening in the first place.

Women - and the elderly - have every reason to fear unattended suburban railway stations. History proves these are very dangerous places, frequented by rapists and drunks - and lots of anti-social people.

Don't be fooled by those pious claims that we do not need on-the-spot security people in this electronic age. It's just one more myth to serve the relentless money saving cut backs !