Rail crime drops for sixth year

RAIL travellers from Warrington and across the North West can feel safe when they travel by train following a sixth successive year of falling crime on the region’s railways.
British Transport Police recorded a drop in recorded crime of more than two per cent last year, which means crime on the region’s railways has fallen by almost a third since 2004/05.
The drop represents 119 fewer victims of crime in the North West.
BTP area commander Chief Superintendent Peter Holden said: “A sixth consecutive year of reduction in crimes is a remarkable achievement and those travelling and working on the rail network in the North West can rightly feel safe as BTP and other agencies continue to work together to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour.
“During the past year we have seen reductions in violent crime – those crimes which, by their very nature, have a major impact on the lives of victims – particularly sexual offences (down almost 12 per cent) and robbery (down by more than 54 per cent). This not only means fewer victims, but also a reduction in the number of people witnessing violence on the railway all of which combines to make travelling by rail a more pleasant and safer method than ever before.”
Meanwhile BTP has reduced route crime – objects thrown at trains and objects placed on the line – by more than 17 per cent, meaning fewer journeys are disrupted as a result of criminal or anti-social behaviour.
Chief Supt Holden believes these reductions, which follow a similar pattern from the previous year, are a direct result of the impact of neighbourhood policing.
He added: “Last year BTP in the north west rolled out neighbourhood policing across the region – building on the three teams already in place in Manchester, Southport and Wirral.
“We are now seeing the benefits of this programme. With the adoption of neighbourhood policing comes a greater responsibility for officers to take ownership of particular routes and stations, as well as placing an emphasis on problem solving and dealing with minor issues before they have the opportunity to really hurt the network.
“This approach has seen our officers become more visible on the rail network and the work they have done with communities across the region has had a real impact.”
BTP works closely with Network Rail, train operating companies, local police forces and security firms.
However, the past year has not been without its challenges and there was a 20 per cent increase in cable and metal theft.