Waterloo station trials security dogs for passenger safety

London Waterloo, Britain's busiest railway station, has introduced regular patrols by three dogs as part of a new three-month trial. The canines, named Riley, Buster, and Flo, will patrol the station to improve passenger safety and deter anti-social behaviour. This marks the first time a major British railway station has implemented such regular canine patrols.

Visible Deterrence and Reassurance

Dan Harrison, station manager for South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex at London Waterloo, explained that the deployment is not in response to any specific or increased threat. Instead, he stated the dogs are intended to provide a visible deterrent and offer additional reassurance to customers. This measure is part of ongoing efforts to innovate security and demonstrate a commitment to passenger safety. All station staff have also been equipped with new high-visibility tabards to make them more easily identifiable to passengers needing assistance.

Riley, an 11-year-old cocker spaniel, Buster, a nine-year-old cocker spaniel, and Flo, a 10-year-old labrador, began their patrols earlier this month. Their presence is designed to support staff in maintaining a secure environment. The scheme is a component of a broader security programme overseen by SWR and Network Rail Wessex.

Wider Security Enhancements

The canine patrols are being conducted in partnership with Alpha Canine Specialists, a certified provider of canine security services. This initiative complements other recent security upgrades at Waterloo. These include the rollout of body-worn cameras for frontline staff and enhancements to the station's CCTV systems. An outreach worker from South Bank BID has also been deployed to engage with vulnerable young people in the vicinity.

SWR has maintained a strong record in the British Transport Police’s Safeguarding on Rail Scheme accreditation for the past three years. Following the integration of SWR and Network Rail Wessex under public ownership, the joint team is preparing to apply for the new Safer Railway Scheme accreditation, which replaces the previous safeguarding scheme.