Crime fight stays on track

THE fight to keep local railways free from crime is well on track, according to the latest figures.

There was an 11 per cent reduction in robbery and an 8 per cent drop in violent crime in the region over the past year.

There were also reductions in fraud (33 per cent) theft of passenger property (7 per cent), motor vehicle/cycle offences (8 per cent), theft of railway property (2 per cent), criminal damage (9 per cent) and public disorder (3 per cent).

There was a 9 per cent drop in route crime (which includes people throwing objects at trains and placing objects on the line) in the region.

Chief Supt Holden, of the British Transport Police (BTP), believes the cut in crime is due largely to effective partnerships with Network Rail, the train operating companies and the work of the British Transport Police Neigbourhood Policing Teams.

Mr Holden, area commander of the BTP in the North-West, said: “The results for the past year are very encouraging, particularly as they come on the back of good reductions in 2007-08.

“BTP in the North West is striving to make the railway a safe place for all passengers and staff and I hope these latest figures underline our determination to achieve this.

“However, we will not be resting on our laurels and are already looking at ways in which we can further improve our performance and increase the public’s confidence in the service we provide, albeit against the challenging backdrop created by the current economic climate.”