for security reasons, the SNCF is exceptionally authorized to frisk passengers
The International Theater Festival in rue d’Aurillac begins on August 17th. From this Tuesday, August 16, all festival-goers or travelers who take the trains between Toulouse and Figeac from Matabiau station are likely to be checked. A derogation granted by the prefecture of Haute-Garonne to the SNCF for security reasons.
From this Tuesday, August 16 and until Sunday, August 21, all passengers on trains on the Toulouse-Figeac line could be subjected to a pat-down by SNCF agents at the Toulouse-Matabiau station. A line that will be very popular over the next few days because it allows you to go to the festival in rue d’Aurillac in Cantal.
Many people are expected for this internationally recognized International Street Theater Festival. On August 12, the prefect of Haute-Garonne therefore granted an exemption to the SNCF to authorize security palpation measures on users of this railway line.
“When the situation requires it, such as the organization of important events such as the theater festival in rue d’Aurillac, the prefectures can authorize the agents of the SNCF’s internal security service to carry out security pat-downs”explains a communications officer from the SNCF. “It depends on events and crowds, like for this festival”.
In this prefectural decree, theState therefore exceptionally authorizes SNCF agents to carry out physical checks at Toulouse Matabiau station, at the departure and arrival of trains, due to the existence of threats to public safety.
Indeed, this decree comes within the framework of the activation of the Vigipirate plan at its level “Reinforced security – risk of attacks on the territory”, but also following a significant increase in the discovery of knives, cutters and other weapons during inspection of luggage on trains.
With the approach of the great street theater festival in Aurillac which attracts thousands of people from all over the region, and in view of all these security threats, the State speaks of “special circumstances” to authorize these body searches on a temporary basis.