Security on Europe's rail networks will be stepped up with cross-border armed patrols and increased spot checks on trains.
In response to the foiled gun attack on a French train last weekend, ministers from nine European countries agreed at a meeting in Paris to step up cooperation between national police and security forces.
In a joint declaration read by the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, the ministers said there would be more joint police patrols in trains by officers from neighboring countries. International rail tickets could show passengers’ names and police will be able to ask for identity papers during spot checks even when trains are crossing borders where passport controls have been abolished under the Schengen agreement.
The ministers stressed the need for “coordinated and simultaneous checks on targeted routes” and urged the European Commission to strengthen gun control. They did not recommend scanners and baggage X-rays at passenger terminals and surveillance cameras in train carriages. But the did not rule out installing more metal detectors at key points and said spot checks and armed police patrols on trains would be increased.
