(L-R) Riley, Buster and Flo in London’s Waterloo station – SWR / NR Wessex / SWNS
London’s Waterloo station has become the first major train hub in Britain to employ dogs on regular patrols.
Canine caretakers Riley, Buster and Flo are providing “additional reassurance” to passengers as part of a three-month trial.
The pups, two cocker spaniels and a Labrador, were deployed by South Western Railway (SWR) and NR Wessex, partnering with Alpha Canine Specialists.
The adorable dogs are aged 9, 10, and 11—and this London train hub gig will be their final deployment before retirement.
Regarding security, the dogs are intended to act as a visual deterrent, and are “part of a wider program designed to keep customers and colleagues safe”, SWR said.
“Deploying these dogs is not linked to any increased threat. It’s simply part of providing more visual deterrence and offering our customers some additional reassurance.”
Chris Bond and Sakinah with Riley and Buster in front of Waterloo clock – SWR / NR Wessex via SWNS
“Security needs constant innovation and we’re taking positive steps to reassure our customers that we take their safety very seriously,” said Dan Harrison, station manager for SWR and NR Wessex.
Other recent measures include launching a better CCTV system, and investing in an outreach worker who engages with vulnerable young people.
“In the same way, we recently equipped all our colleagues with new high-visibility tabards (to wear in the station) to make them more easily identifiable to customers who might need their help.”
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