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Attacks on train staff on the up | |
(40 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
British Transport Police want people to report offences on the railways | |
"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." |
Superintendent Paul Richards, of British Transport Police's operations unit for Wales and the Western area, said the figures covered an area stretching from Bristol to Birmingham and Nottingham. | |
He said the "relatively low" figures also needed to be seen in the perspective of improved reporting procedures. | |
"Violent crime in Wales has dropped by 9.5 %, sexual offences 16.5%, so there's some really good news and really positive work going on," he added. | |
"And again, we're doing a lot of pro-active work around hotspot areas where we're getting particular problems. | |
"We stop it by getting the community involved. They need to identify who these people are - we have a tremendous success as far as detections are concerned- and its sending out the right message." | |
He said he did not want the public to be "getting directly involved" but to report offenders. | |
Train disabled | |
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. |
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. |