No special police unit for Luxembourg's train network

The foiled attack on the Thalys train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris at the weekend raises questions of rail transport safety in Luxembourg. A police unit specifically assigned to the train network does not exist in this country.

However for CFL the use of surveillance cameras is rife. Around 2,000 of them are located at stations and on board trains. While the train service would like to increase camera use further still, there are no plans for more security officers or police, explained Mike van Kauvenbergh, project manager in CFL's communication department.

While there are workers on each train, "they are there for ticket inspection, providing help and information, and do not have to power to verify if passengers are carrying weapons or drugs," continued van Kauvenbergh.

That said, police have stated that they sporadically carry out checks on trains but mostly when they have a solid reason to do so. "This is not about regular or planned operations," said police spokesman Daniel Back based at the "Centre d'intervention" located at Luxembourg City's train station where 35 officers work. However "a special unit for security on trains does not exist" said Back.

Nevertheless, the possibility of such a special unit could see the light of day in the near future. Infrastructure Minister François Bausch has raised the idea of a special police unit for public transport. "However, this would mean a major need for additional police officers," said Daniel Back.

Don't miss the news – sign up to receive the  wort.lu newsletter in English  delivered to your inbox six days a week.