Railway travellers urged to report anti-social behaviour

Railway travellers should not suffer a rising tide of antisocial behaviour in silence, a senior police officer said today.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter, of British Transport Police (BTP), said yobbery leaves passengers in fear of becoming victims.

But he said travellers can play their part in tackling nuisance behaviour by reporting it to his officers.

Mr Trotter said BTP takes a "zero tolerance" approach to anti-social behaviour and brought 4,000 more offenders to book in 2006/07 than the previous year.

He said such behaviour ranges from disruptive or rude acts to more serious threats and intimidation, often fuelled by alcohol.

He said: "We want the millions of passengers who depend upon the network to feel safe, as well as be safe when they are travelling.

"I would urge passengers and staff to support our officers by reporting antisocial behaviour when they witness it rather than suffering in silence or simply ignoring it."

He added: "This lack of respect for fellow passengers and staff, as well as rail property, makes passengers feel uneasy and creates a perception of an unsafe environment."

The BTP annual report for 2006/07 revealed the number of assaults and criminal damage and public disorder incidents taking place on the rail network is increasing.

Although overall crime fell slightly, violent offences, sexual offences, hate crime and criminal damage all increased.

Public disorder spiralled, with 6,689 offences recorded, an increase of 1,747 (34%) on the previous year.

Meanwhile, assaults on staff increased by 8% to 3,026 offences, more than half of which (51%) were solved.

Officers recovered 285 weapons and arrested 319 people as more than 60,000 people passed through portable metal detector arches deployed in London.

An extra 988 graffiti crimes took place, bringing the total to 5,414, an increase of 22%. About one in six of those incidents was detected.

Police said a push against vandals on the London Underground was the main reason for the increase.

Recorded incidents of passenger property theft, robbery, fraud and drug offences all fell.

Chief Constable Ian Johnston said: "I believe the railways are now as safe as they have ever been and we are on course to make them even safer."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We thank BTP officers and staff for their hard work and professionalism - the fall in crime is very welcome.

"Passengers want a safe and secure transport network and we will continue working with the BTP to deliver it.

"For example, we are expanding the number of stations in the Secure Stations scheme and asking train operators to spend more on security improvements such as CCTV cameras, better lighting and ticket barriers."