New Report Recommends Measures to Improve Safety at Copenhagen Stations

Although Copenhagen residents generally feel more secure in the city than ever before, stations and stops remain the locations most often described as unsafe. A new report now presents concrete recommendations for improving safety in and around four stations.

Earlier this year, the City Council allocated DKK 500,000 to examine how Copenhagen’s stations could become safer. The result is now available in the form of a report containing safety-enhancing proposals for Sydhavn Station, Husum Station, Flintholm Station and Christianshavn Station.

The suggestions include improved lighting, closer cooperation with social organisations, and more patrolling security staff during evening and night-time hours. While the report points to specific locations where measures could be strengthened, the study also shows that metro stations are generally perceived as safe. The proposals for metro areas therefore aim mainly to maintain current levels of safety at all times of day.

Lord Mayor Lars Weiss (S) supports the recommendations, emphasising that all residents should feel secure, including when waiting alone for a train late at night. He hopes that the City Council will adopt the proposals and turn them into concrete action.

The report will be discussed by the City of Copenhagen’s Finance Committee on Tuesday 9 December. Should politicians decide to proceed, the City Council may allocate funds through upcoming budget discussions. Several initiatives would also require cooperation with DSB, and funding may be sought through a national scheme for safer and more attractive stations. The municipality will begin a dialogue with Metroselskabet and DSB regarding the recommendations addressed to them.

The report includes selected proposals for individual stations. Suggestions for Sydhavn Station include better lighting, daily cleaning and social street-level “caretakers”. Measures proposed for Husum Station include improved visibility between platforms and forecourt areas, lighting in adjacent green spaces and “Safety Zones”. At Flintholm Station, recommendations include stronger lighting, clearer wayfinding and evening security patrols. At Christianshavn Station, proposals include more support aimed at vulnerable groups, increased presence of security staff at selected hours, and events and lighting on the station square.