The LNER Encyclopedia

A musician has spoken of his shock at being removed from a train for "behaving suspiciously" by writing a list of songs which included the band name The Killers.

Tom Shaw was travelling on a South West Trains when he began writing a list of song titles which his band The Magic Mushrooms would play at a forthcoming gig.

But the 25-year-old was approached by two security staff employed by the train company and asked to leave the train at Fareham railway station.

Mr Shaw, who works with young people with learning difficulties, said they told him he had been behaving suspiciously and asked him to explain the list he had been writing. The set list included Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand, Cigarettes and Alcohol by Oasis and Love Me Like You by The Magic Numbers.

Mr Shaw, of Portsmouth, Hampshire, said his band also intended to play All These Things That I've Done by The Killers but he had simply written "killers".

He told the Portsmouth News: "They made me get out at Fareham and when I asked what was wrong they told me to show them the piece of paper I'd been writing on. They said I'd been behaving suspiciously. I couldn't understand it. It seemed very strange as it was only a list of songs. We had a gig coming up so I was writing out what we could play. They made me explain song by song."

Mr Shaw added that the security staff told him that he had been questioned because there had been a number of arrests in the area including a man who had murdered his wife.

A South West Trains spokeswoman said Mr Shaw was asked politely to leave the train because it was busy and the officers wished to speak to him about their concerns.

She added: "We employ a team of highly professional rail community officers who work closely with the British Transport Police in protecting the security of passengers on the rail network. During a routine high-visibility patrol back in early March, they talked with a passenger on the platform at Fareham station. The team clarified the nature of the individual's business, were satisfied with his explanation and the man went on his way. We would like to thank the passenger for his co-operation and understanding of the need to be vigilant in the current environment."

Simierski wrote:

She added: "We employ a team of highly professional rail community officers who work closely with the British Transport Police in protecting the security of passengers on the rail network. During a routine high-visibility patrol back in early March, they talked with a passenger on the platform at Fareham station. The team clarified the nature of the individual's business, were satisfied with his explanation and the man went on his way. We would like to thank the passenger for his co-operation and understanding of the need to be vigilant in the current environment."

Simierski wrote:I'm going to get shouted down - but if I saw someone write down just "killers" on a blank piece of paper, while on a train, I'm sure I'd feel a little uncomfortable to be close by...!

Mr Bunt wrote:

Simierski wrote:I'm going to get shouted down - but if I saw someone write down just "killers" on a blank piece of paper, while on a train, I'm sure I'd feel a little uncomfortable to be close by...!

I'd have felt really uncomfortable if I'd seen him write down 444 007 actually, especially if that was the number of the train we were on - quick bring me a BTP officer before I faint, I've just met a trainspotter

And presumably nobody listens to anything by "The Stranglers" nowadays south of the Thames; in the interests of political correctness gone mad you understand

Ferrybridge Flyer wrote:Beyond belief-beyond everything really.What the f**k is happening to our country?

brsince78 wrote:

Ferrybridge Flyer wrote:Beyond belief-beyond everything really.What the f**k is happening to our country?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/colu ... itain.html

richard wrote:Yes: Who would believe it? The Telegraph criticising Labour? Next thing we'll know, the Guardian will be criticising Thatcher!

Richard