Finsbury Park station marshals make beat their own

Published: 15 October, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

A TRIAL scheme which saw community marshals patrol at Finsbury Park station has proved so popular it has become permanent.

A team of 12 long-term unemployed people, wearing high-visibility jackets, will deal with low-level anti-social behaviour, help travellers with luggage and prams and give directions. 

The pilot scheme, featured in the Tribune in April, was praised by Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn.  It is jointly organised by Finsbury Park Business Forum and employment agency A4e. 

There are plans to employ similar marshals at King’s Cross, Angel and Camden Town. 

Marshal Stelios Hapjimimas, 51, was a bus conductor for 23 years before he was made redundant in 2005 when his service became a one-man operation. “I’ve only had one job since,” said the father-of-two. “This is the sort of job which will keep me in contact with people.” 

Gary Barton, 48, was with Hackney social services as a  disability  technician for 16 years before losing his job in 2007. “I volunteered to be a marshal because I like working with people,” he said. 

Forum chairman Courtney Bailey said that, with Finsbury Park being such a busy transport interchange, the marshals would complement rail and bus staff. 

“When we tried it out for a few weeks last April the public response was very positive,” he said.