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Railway drug crime 'rises by 47%' Rail crime falls for fifth year
(10 minutes later)
Crime on Britain's railways has fallen for a fifth successive year but drug offences rose by 47%, British Transport Police have said.Crime on Britain's railways has fallen for a fifth successive year but drug offences rose by 47%, British Transport Police have said.
The number of drug-related incidents rose to 6,000 nationwide in 2008/09, up from 4,071 in the previous year.
The BTP's figures also show that theft of rail property rose by 2.9% and public order offences by 3.8%.
Overall, rail crime fell by 4.5%, with robbery and theft of passenger property both down by more than 15%.Overall, rail crime fell by 4.5%, with robbery and theft of passenger property both down by more than 15%.
But the number of drug-related incidents rose to 6,000 in 2008/09, up from 4,071 in the previous year.
The police figures also show that theft of rail property rose by 2.9% and public order offences by 3.8%.
London was the worst area for robberies, with 68% of all incidents occurring on the capital's railways.London was the worst area for robberies, with 68% of all incidents occurring on the capital's railways.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter said the recession and rising unemployment had "the potential to fuel some crime categories over the next year".Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter said the recession and rising unemployment had "the potential to fuel some crime categories over the next year".
"We are particularly monitoring theft of railway property, theft from passengers and staff assaults to ensure we can respond quickly when and if we see trends change," he said."We are particularly monitoring theft of railway property, theft from passengers and staff assaults to ensure we can respond quickly when and if we see trends change," he said.
Network Rail operations and customer services director Robin Gisby said: "To see railway crime down across the country is excellent news for passengers and those who live alongside the railway."Network Rail operations and customer services director Robin Gisby said: "To see railway crime down across the country is excellent news for passengers and those who live alongside the railway."
But he added: "Cable theft in particular continues to cause an unacceptable amount of delay to the travelling public and we are exploring a number of policing and engineering initiatives to stop it."But he added: "Cable theft in particular continues to cause an unacceptable amount of delay to the travelling public and we are exploring a number of policing and engineering initiatives to stop it."
Rail Minister Lord Adonis said: "The overall fall in crime is positive news, but we cannot afford to be complacent.Rail Minister Lord Adonis said: "The overall fall in crime is positive news, but we cannot afford to be complacent.
"Rail passengers and those working on stations and trains rightly expect a safe and secure transport network and we will continue working hard with the BTP to carry on delivering a safer travelling environment for all.""Rail passengers and those working on stations and trains rightly expect a safe and secure transport network and we will continue working hard with the BTP to carry on delivering a safer travelling environment for all."