Crime down on North West railways

Train tracks

British Transport Police is breaking records in the North West with a sixth consecutive year of falling crime.

Building on an excellent 2009/10, BTP in the region recorded a further drop in recorded crime of more than two per cent during 2010/11, which now means crime has fallen by almost a third since 2004/05.

The drop represents 119 fewer victims of crime in the North West which, according to BTP Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Peter Holden, is testament to the work of his officers and the partnerships they have established with industry colleagues.

He said: “A sixth consecutive year of reduction in crimes is a remarkable achievement and those travelling and working on the rail network in the north west can rightly feel safe as BTP and other agencies continue to work together to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour.

“During the past year we have seen reductions in violent crime – those crimes which, by their very nature, have a major impact on the lives of victims – particularly sexual offences (down almost 12 per cent) and robbery (down by more than 54 per cent). This not only means fewer victims, but also a reduction in the number of people witnessing violence on the railway all of which combines to make travelling by rail in 2011 a more pleasant and safer method than ever before.”

Meanwhile BTP has reduced route crime – objects thrown at trains and objects placed on the line – by more than 17 per cent, meaning fewer journeys are disrupted as a result of criminal or anti-social behaviour.

Chief Supt Holden believes these reductions, which follow a similar pattern from the previous year, are a direct result of the impact of neighbourhood policing.

The past year has not been without its challenges and the North West, like many areas, has experienced problems with cable and metal theft.

During 2010/11 North West area recorded 231 cable thefts – a rise of more than 20 per cent (40 crimes) compared to the previous 12 months.

Chief Supt Holden said: “Whilst any increase is unwelcome I believe we can be justifiably proud of the work done in this area as North West Area is some way short of the national rise of 70 per cent.

“We have taken a fresh approach to cable theft with the establishment of a Proactive Team (made up of detectives and specialist officers), designed to focus primarily on the issue targeting thieves and those recyclers who persist in dealing in stolen metals.

“The team is very much in its infancy, but we are already seeing positive results and, with cable theft predicted to continue causing issues throughout the foreseeable future, I am confident the Proactive Team will prove beneficial to both BTP and the wider industry.”

But it is not just cable theft that will occupy North West Area officers during the coming year.

The region has been set challenging targets for the next 12 months which will see BTP working towards a further reduction in violent offences, an increase in the detection rate for football-related offences and a further overall reduction in crime.

Chief Supt Holden concluded: “2010/11 was a successful year for North West Area as we continued to drive down crime across the region.

“Our targets for the coming year, against a tough economic backdrop, will challenge us to produce further reductions to make the railway safer still.”