At the interim results press conference of the Deutsche Bahn rail company, Dr. Rüdiger Grube, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board began by saying that the company was horrified by the terrible incidents that recently occurred in Würzburg, Munich and Ansbach, and that they were already committed to improving security and surveillance for employees and for travellers.
Dr Grube, said. “All of us were appalled and deeply saddened to learn of these brutal acts of violence. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims, with those who were injured, and with their families and friends. I would also like to thank our employees, as well as the law enforcement officers and first responders, who were involved in the response to these terrible incidents. Even the most sophisticated security plan will never be able to completely eliminate the possibility of such acts of violence.”
He went on to say that Germany’s trains and stations are some of the safest public spaces there are and that much work is done to ensure that it stays that way. “In response to the threat of terrorism, we at Deutshe Bahn have long since stepped up our partnership with law enforcement, and we will be extending it further.”
The company is consistently working to expand its video surveillance and at stations alone, he announced that DB and the German Federal Police will be making additional investments of over EUR 85 million. He explained that several weeks ago the company had already deployed a security technology task force with the target of implementing new technology to make the company’s system even more secure.
As a result of this they are now testing body worn cameras for their security forces, and are planning to issue them to all security staff starting from January 2017. The company also plans to increase staffing numbers and to adapt their in-house training to address these new circumstances.
In response to the recent attacks, the German Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière also stepped up the presence of Federal Police patrols at all German train stations and airports effective immediately.
