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| Attacks on rail staff increasing | Attacks on rail staff increasing |
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| The number of public disorder offences and assaults on railway staff in Wales and west England have increased in the last year, new figures reveal. | The number of public disorder offences and assaults on railway staff in Wales and west England have increased in the last year, new figures reveal. |
| British Transport Police's annual statistics show assaults on railway workers rose by nearly 15% on 2005-06. | British Transport Police's annual statistics show assaults on railway workers rose by nearly 15% on 2005-06. |
| The figures also showed instances of public disorder and criminal damage have risen by around a quarter. | The figures also showed instances of public disorder and criminal damage have risen by around a quarter. |
| However, robberies, fraud offences and violent attacks were down on the previous year. | However, robberies, fraud offences and violent attacks were down on the previous year. |
| British Transport Police concluded that the railways were safer in Wales and the west of England in 2006-2007 than ever before, with fewer offences and more convictions. | |
| It makes me feel very scared, vulnerable and intimidated Francis Norman, conductor | It makes me feel very scared, vulnerable and intimidated Francis Norman, conductor |
| The number of violent attacks dropped from 538 to 514. Sexual offences were also down from 39 to 33. | The number of violent attacks dropped from 538 to 514. Sexual offences were also down from 39 to 33. |
| However, there were 315 assaults on members of staff this year - 40 more than the previous 12 months | However, there were 315 assaults on members of staff this year - 40 more than the previous 12 months |
| Conductor Francis Norman from Cardiff Central Station said staff face abuse on an almost daily basis. | Conductor Francis Norman from Cardiff Central Station said staff face abuse on an almost daily basis. |
| Ms Norman said: "Not a day goes past really without some sort of incident. | Ms Norman said: "Not a day goes past really without some sort of incident. |
| "It makes me feel very scared, vulnerable and intimidated. | "It makes me feel very scared, vulnerable and intimidated. |
| "Its not very nice and it can take a long time to get over such an incident... it can be very upsetting. | "Its not very nice and it can take a long time to get over such an incident... it can be very upsetting. |
| "I wish something more could be done about it to make our lives a lot better, makes our jobs a bit easier." | "I wish something more could be done about it to make our lives a lot better, makes our jobs a bit easier." |
| The problem of crime on Welsh railways was highlighted in May this year when one train company threatened to withdraw some of its services. | The problem of crime on Welsh railways was highlighted in May this year when one train company threatened to withdraw some of its services. |
| 'Left terrified' | 'Left terrified' |
| Arriva Trains Wales said that instances of crime and disorder had nearly doubled so far that year. | Arriva Trains Wales said that instances of crime and disorder had nearly doubled so far that year. |
| In March, passengers were left stranded after a train was disabled by a gang of youths at Ystrad Rhondda. | In March, passengers were left stranded after a train was disabled by a gang of youths at Ystrad Rhondda. |
| The guard - who had a fire extinguisher let off in his face and a bottle thrown at him - driver and three security guards were left terrified. | The guard - who had a fire extinguisher let off in his face and a bottle thrown at him - driver and three security guards were left terrified. |
| Arriva Trains Wales warned that if unless things improved it would have to cancel some services on the stretch of track between Pontypridd and Treherbert. | Arriva Trains Wales warned that if unless things improved it would have to cancel some services on the stretch of track between Pontypridd and Treherbert. |