A community scheme has just been launched to protect the interests of Upwey station in Dorset.
The residents of Upwey wanted to make sure the station is as safe as it can be and have set up the scheme in collaboration with South West Trains, the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership, British Transport Police and Dorset Police. In the coming months the station will be redecorated to make it a more pleasant environment.
The Community Watch scheme encourages local residents to be proactive in reporting any misuse of the station to us or, where necessary, the British Transport Police.
Nigel Gallichan, Station Manager at Upwey, said:
“We want to make Upwey even more welcoming and the station improvements and Community Watch scheme will go a long way towards that. The station is already protected by CCTV and is regularly patrolled by officers from Dorset and British Transport Police and working with Upwey residents we can really make it a station to be proud of.”
Andy Hutchings of the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership, said:
”As a regular user of the station, I find the services offered there are first class. I fully support the community watch at Upwey station and will certainly play my part in it.”
Terry Putnam, the co-ordinator for the Community Watch said:
“I think these developments are really positive for the future and Upwey will become an important focus for the community.”
On behalf of British Transport Police, PC Paul Moodie said:
“British Transport Police encourages this partnership with South West Trains, the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership and Dorset Police, and looks forward to working with them in order to ensure that Upwey station is a safe place to travel from and to.”