British Transport Police (BTP) figures released today show recorded crime on the rail network in Wales dropped during 2009-2010, falling 8.2 per cent.
The
number of robbery offences across Wales fell by 40 per cent in the past
year, down from 10 in 2008-09 to just six recorded offences in 2009-10.
It is
the sixth consecutive year that BTP has recorded a fall in crime
figures nationally. The Force also achieved all of its 2009-10 Policing
Plan targets.
In Wales, the number of fraud offences fell by
70.6 per cent, from 17 recorded crimes in 2008-09 to only five offences
last year.
The figures also show falls in many other areas of
policing. The number of drugs offences is down 10.7 per cent, while
motor vehicle crime dropped by 27 per cent and theft of passenger
property reduced by 7.6 per cent.
Reductions have also been
recorded in line of route offences, which include obstructing trains
and endangering safety, with the number of offences falling by 11.3 per
cent compared with 2008-09 figures.
Chief Inspector Sandra
England, BTP Sector Commander for Wales, said: “Crime across the rail
network in Wales is continuing on a downward trend. This is an
outstanding achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication
of every officer and member of staff.
“A reduction in overall
crime reinforces our commitment to working together with our industry
partners and local communities to make the network safer and is great
news for staff and passengers.
“There is a continued emphasis
on technology with train operating companies, Network Rail and the
Welsh Assembly Government having invested in CCTV on trains and railway
stations.
"The results we have experienced mean we are reaping rewards in detecting and prosecuting offenders.”
“It’s
particularly pleasing to note the reductions in robbery offences as we
know that this is one of the areas that causes most concern to
passengers and rail staff.
“Not only are my officers solving more
of the robberies that do occur, but our success rate in arresting and
securing convictions of those who commit such offences is proving key
in making would-be offenders think twice about committing crime on the
rail network.
“Wales has a dedicated Crime Team, based in
Cardiff, which deals with the more serious crimes such as robbery and
fraud and emphasises how seriously we take these matters.”
Despite
the positive figures, Chief Insp England insisted BTP would not become
complacent and added the Force is using research from rail watchdog
Passenger Focus to help increase passenger safety, and equally
passenger perceptions of safety.
Low-level problems remain a
concern for passengers across the UK, as Passenger Focus’s anti-social
behaviour report published in February showed. BTP has an objective
this year (2010/11) to target these offenders, specifically between 8pm
and 2am.
“Being safe and feeling safe are equally important,
which is why we are focusing our efforts on putting more police out on
patrol on the rail network at key locations in the South West in the
evenings and at night,” said Ch Insp England.
“Research from
Passenger Focus shows that young men under 26 are most concerned, which
is understandable as they are the most likely to be assault victims.
“We
need to be out there protecting them and reassuring all passengers that
the railways really are a very safe environment. By putting more police
on patrol in the evenings, we are aiming to address some of those
anxieties and boost passenger confidence.
“I am confident that by
continuing to work closely with train operating companies, Network Rail
and our colleagues in Home Office police forces, we will meet any
challenges that we may face in the coming year as well as improving our
service to our community and building on the successes we have enjoyed
in recent years.”
BTP is continuing to hold regular week-long
Operation Tranquility events during the year to target anti social
behaviour, assaults on and aggression towards railway staff and those
who carry drugs on the rail network.
The Force is also working
closely with Network Rail to target problem level crossings in the area
to make sure lives are not being put at risk by people misusing them.
Ch
Insp England concluded: “Passengers and rail staff should not have to
endure abusive behaviour, intimidation or threats of violence. We will
continue to focus on those crimes that matter most to passengers and
rail staff, including anti-social behaviour, robbery, violent crime and
sexual offences, and we promise to use every method at our disposal to
target and bring offenders to justice.”
Robin Gisby, Network
Rail’s director of operations and customer services, said: “More and
more people are choosing rail to travel across Britain.
“As we
work to build bigger, better and brighter stations and improve journey
times and experiences for passengers, one of the most important things
is that people continue to feel safe as they travel.
“We will continue to work with BTP and train operating companies to further reduce crime and improve passengers’ journeys.”
For more information contact:
Brian Price
British Transport Police - Wales and Western Area
t:0121 654 2247
m:07787 002 747
e: brian.price@btp.pnn.police.uk