Safety of the public at large

Securail

There are more than 650 Securail security officers, who are responsible for the safety of individuals in stations and on board trains. Easily recognisable by their red uniform, they carry out preventative patrols throughout rail premises. The Securail security officers are representatives, who are easy to identify, and are there to serve our customers.

Securail also carries out operations in stations and on board trains. The Securail officers are sworn officials. That means that they can report any breach of railway regulations by giving a statement.

What are the competencies of a Securail officer?

A security officer is able to carry out an identity check, arrest a person and, where necessary, handcuff him or her. He can carry out a security check and eject individuals without a valid ticket from areas in which the ticket is required. Under very specific conditions, a security officer can even deploy pepper spray. Securail also has security officers, who work with their service dog.

Do not hesitate to approach them in case of any problem, these officers are there to assist all of our passengers.

Security Operations Centre (SOC)

SNCB has one of the largest networks of CCTV cameras in Belgium. To monitor these images, SNCB has 4 control rooms: the Security Operations Centre (SOC) and 3 distributed control rooms (Liège, Antwerp and Brussels).

The SOC is there to serve our customers and members of SNCB staff as well as other railway companies. Its responsibilities include:

• providing coordination of operations for all problems relating to safety and security on railway property;
• to record calls received on the emergency number 0800 30 230;
• to record emergency calls from SNCB staff;
• to send the Securail patrolls in situ to take action required to restore safety;
• to analyse images from our CCTV cameras. Thanks to the large number of cameras, officers close to the incident can be sent out to the location covered by a CCTV camera in real time, to go and check on what is happening and, if necessary, mount an appropriate response to the problems encountered;
• to collaborate with the police and judicial system, to hand all requests for images from police departments;
• to provide coordination and offer support during large-scale events.

Finally, the control rooms in Antwerp, Brussels and Liège provide a platform for managing and processing alarms (burglar, access control, fire detection, car park management alarms, etc.) throughout all railway premises and property.

Working together at prevention and raising awareness

Securail works in close collaboration with various partners in relation to safety and security. That's why SNCB enters into joint venture agreements with towns and communities, prevention services, schools, etc.. All partners thus work together to enhance safety and the quality of life in stations and their surrounding areas. This collaboration is made official through the signing a statement of intent. Specific projects focused on prevention and raising awareness have been developed in close collaboration with all partners.

Educational package: Young people use public transport as part of their everyday travel and leisure. For them the station is often also a meeting place, a place where they like to get together. SNCB has developed an educational package 'On the right track!' to make young people aware of potential dangers, to give them some direction, as well as to get them to think about types of behaviour, which compromise safety and people's quality of life.

In case of an emergency 

A few safety tips to avoid dangerous situations

• Stay calm, attentive and preempt any eventual problems
• Avoid eye contact with troublemakers and don't provoke them
• Seek the company of other passengers rather than isolating yourself in an empty carriage
• Don't take any needless risks to protect your property. Instead, call the emergency number 0800/30 230 as quickly as possible.

If you are the victim of or witness to an act of aggression

Immediately call the Securail emergency number 0800/30 230. The number is a freephone number and even without any call credit, you can always contact Securail. This number is only valid on railway premises and property.

Useful information to give to the operator

If you witness an incident and you dial 0800 30 230, don't forget to mention the following points:

• The location (station, street, train (number) and carriage?)
• A description of the facts
• A description of the assailants (try to visualise what the person is wearing, his/her build and size, …)
• The time of the incident

Useful numbers:

• 112 European emergency call
• 101 Police
• 070344 344 Card stop
• 00800 2123 2123 Doc Stop

Save a life using defibrillators

Because stations attract hundreds of thousands of people every day, SNCB has installed AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in 19 of its stations. Using these devices, which are easy to use, many lives have been saved. Already more than 3,000 Securail partners, train conductors and station staff have been trained in the use of the AEDs so that they can quickly intervene in case of a heart attack. Even passengers, who have not been given training, can easily use the devices: integrated voice assistance guides the person administering the first aid during the resuscitation process.

Defibrillators are also present in SNCB administrative buildings and workshops.