POLICE officers at Ipswich station were checking cars as part of a drive to reassure passengers heading off by train that security had been stepped up.

POLICE officers at Ipswich station were checking cars as part of a drive to reassure passengers heading off by train that security had been stepped up.

Drivers were being checked as they dropped off passengers on the station forecourt following on from the attempt to bomb Glasgow airport terminal at the weekend.

A spokeswoman for British Transport Police confirmed that the operation was part of an effort to reassure passengers, rather than a response to any specific threat.

She said: “Security has been stepped up at stations across the rail network. We are working to try to reassure passengers and generally increase our profile.

“More officers are out doing high-visibility work and we have cut back on days off during the current situation,” she said.

Nothing exceptional was found during their high-visibility checks at the railway station, but there could be further sweeps to discourage terrorist attacks and provide public reassurance.

Rail staff are also being especially vigilant, although Peter Meades from rail company 'one' said their work had not changed significantly since the weekend.

He said: “There has been a heightened state of security for some time and our staff are aware of the dangers.

“We are putting out more messages for staff and passengers advising them to be more aware of things like keeping luggage with them at all times and to watch for any unaccompanied bags or packages.

“Everyone here is aware of the need for vigilance and that really hasn't changed over the last few days,” he added.