Safer train stations

This brings Southern's total up to 113 secure stations out of its total of 162.

As a result, almost 96% of Southern's passengers use stations that are accredited with the award and 70% of Southern's stations now have been accredited, more than any other train operator.

Stations receive this award under the Secure Stations scheme, managed by the Department for Transport in partnership with the British Transport Police.

Strict criteria are applied to stations in order to gain the award. These include:

- Good fencing and boundaries

- Good CCTV coverage

- Good lighting

- Good use of corner mirrors and signage

- A reduction in crime rates at the station

- Regular station maintenance audits including removal of graffiti within 24 hours

Positive results in an independent survey of passengers using the station on how they feel about security at the station

Southern's managing director, Chris Burchell said: "To have so many of our stations accredited with the award is a tremendous achievement. The safety and security of our passengers is our highest priority, and it is heartening to see that crime on the Southern network fell by 10% in 2007."

Crime figures in 2007 were half those published in 2003.

More details about the Secure Stations scheme are available from the Department for Transport website '“ www.dft.gov.uk