Attacks in Paris. Royal favors Scanners in Railway Stations

Ségolène Royal was in favour of the introduction of security scanners in stations to control access to trains, and not just reserved for international routes.

“I asked SNCF to consider this action to be quickly put in place, so that there is the same type of controls as access to airplanes” with such security gates and baggage scanners,  she said on iTV, adding that “it is for international trains and I think it should be done also for trains in France.

Ségolène Royal favorable aux portiques de… par ITELE“This is done for international trains and I think it should be done also for trains in France”,said Minister of Ecology and Energy, which was already favourable for the idea in late August and called for “installation of gantries for access to international trains, after the foiled attack in the Thalys, and after the attacks in Paris last Friday, the implementation of higher security including scanners is more important than ever.

Already in place in several countries

Several countries have implemented targeted security controls in stations in recent years.  Spain, after the 2004 bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people and injured nearly 1,900 in four commuter trains, with passenger baggage checks on long-distance trains.  Italy also put it on 1 May, from certain major stations.

This is also the case of Eurostar, SNCF subsidiary connecting Britain to France, because, firstly, identity passport controls are necessary to enter the United Kingdom, which is not part Schengen, and also the necessary security measures before taking the Channel Tunnel.