France is to detail 3,000 undercover armed guards to patrol French SNCF trains.
The move was announced on Sunday by SNCF’s director along with other measures, such as increasing the SNCF security budget by 50% to some €400 million and the installation of more metal detector gates and CCTV cameras which can automatically detect suspicious behaviour.
The 3,000 plain clothes guards will work alongside existing security teams who patrol in uniform on certain lines.
“These agents will be trained how to shoot,” said SNCF chief Guillaume Pépy.
SNCF guards will be allowed to search passengers’ luggage when they arrive at stations. More sniffer dogs will be put into action at stations.
The initiative comes as France begins to arm other security officials. More local police will carry weapons and off-duty officers will be given the right to carry arms.
Officials are also considering a plan to let private security guards carry weapons.
A new law has already given SNCF powers to increase their internal security by allowing them to investigate staff suspected of being radicalised.
Around ten cases were identified last year.
