Group Security
Management approach and targets
Safety is a basic human need. For our customers, safety is an essential criterion when selecting the means of transport. For our employees, safety at the workplace is a prerequisite, and we also bear the responsibility for millions of people and goods on a daily basis. This is precisely why protection against attacks, theft and other criminal offenses along our production processes and the travel chain is the top priority of DB Group’s security organization. DB Group’s internal agencies are in constant dialog with the security authorities. Consistently sharing status information between the Group Security function and the Federal police headquarters is a round-the-clock task shared by DB Group and the Federal police in the rail security center. The six operations centers in DB Security’s regional divisions coordinate regional security issues and are available 24/7 to be contacted by the business units, non-Group train operating companies (TOC), and authorities. DB Group Security and the Federal police are constantly recruiting new employees and expanding their training capacities. In September 2022, around 100 trainees began their three-year apprenticeship to be safety and security specialists. This means that around 300 young people in DB Group nationwide meet the requirements for young talent in this area. In addition to education, continuous further education and training are essential prerequisites for a stable security situation and responsible commitment, taking into account the basic rights of every individual person. All of DB Security’s own security forces receive training four times a year. In 2022, a total of more than 93,000 hours of continuing education were completed. In addition to legal topics, including human rights, de-escalation and self-defense, the agenda also includes disseminating intercultural skills. The participants alone ensure a diversity of perspectives and cultures: people from more than 50 countries work at DB Security. The same requirements apply to the continuing education of the security forces commissioned at subcontractors.
In 2022, the number of criminal offenses affecting DB Group and its customers increased overall (+20%). One particular noticeable factor is the increase in the enforcement of house rights on Group-owned property (+35%), which is also due to the increased presence of security forces on trains and in stations and, compared to the previous year, can also be seen in the context of the increasing number of passengers and the increasingly difficult implementation of Covid-19 regulations. The total number of metal thefts (+20%) and ticket machine break-ins (+6%) was at a low level overall, but nonetheless increased. On the other hand, a slight decline was recorded in graffiti offenses (–1%).
Legally binding convictions by security forces in connection with damage to customers or passengers are not known.
Security at DB Group
DB Group spends about € 180 million annually on the security of its customers and employees. As part of a law enforcement partnership around 5,500 Federal police officers and around 4,300 DB Group security personnel work together, with technical support, to combat crime and disruptive activity and increase the security of our customers and employees. The Group-wide Safe travelµ 68 program brings together measures that notably increase security for both employees and customers. An increased presence of security personnel on selected long-distance and local lines increases the sense of security and deters offenders. On DB Long-Distance in particular, significantly more security services were engaged than in previous years. For the first time, these additional services were available not only on special event dates, such as football match-day transport, but also on high-frequency travel days as part of regular operation. For example, customers at DB Regional benefited from a total of almost 180,000 hours of additional security personnel presence beyond the deployments regulated in the transport contracts. Almost 100,000 additional hours of presence were provided on long-distance trains. This is a doubling in both areas compared to the previous year and thus demonstrates DB Group’s commitment to meeting employee and stakeholder requirements and making the railway safer for customers and employees.
24/7 threat management
Threat management has been available to employees 24/7 for the past two years to help with threats and personal stress. The number and diversity of reports confirm the success of this instrument. In 2022, the threat management team recorded more than 50 cases which resulted in further support. Dozens of instances of further contact with those affected were facilitated or supported. Whether employees receive a threat before, during or after their shift, or if they are experiencing stress in their personal lives, Specially trained employees receive their reports and decide how to best support them. Possible measures range from immediate police deployment and preemptive staffing measures to providing advisory services and having security personnel or other security experts clarify unclear situations.
Continuous expansion of video technology in trains and stations
The use of video technology is a decisive component for greater security. Around 9,000 cameras are currently in use at 800 stations. This means an increase of around 1,000 cameras in two years. By the end of 2024, we will increase the number of video cameras on platforms to around 11,000 cameras. The new cameras record high-resolution images. The Federal Government and DB Group are focusing on the expansion of video technology and are investing around €180 million in this field. The Federal police have exclusive access to the footage saved. Every major railway station in Germany will be equipped with modern video technology by the end of 2024. There is also an increase in the number of cameras on regional and S-Bahn (metro) trains. Currently, more than 45,000 video cameras are in use and provide clear evidence when required in cases. This means that the interior of more than two-thirds of DB Regional’s local transport fleet is video monitored.