North Wales Station crime

[merlodlliw]

FROM todays locaL Daily

North Wales train stations blighted by hundreds of criminal acts each year say British Transport Police
Jul 26 2010 by Richard Down, Daily Post

NORTH Wales train stations are being blighted by hundreds of criminal acts each year according to new figures.

Rhyl, Bangor, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction are among the worst stations in Wales with a total of 353 in a year according to British Transport Police figures.

Rhyl is the sixth most dangerous station in the principality with 138 crimes including robbery and anti social behaviour while Bangor saw 85 incidents.

Colwyn Bay last year saw 6.3 crimes committed per 100,000 rail users, statistics reveal.

But none of the figures compare to the problems experienced in the bigger stations in South Wales where 1,078 crimes, including 25 assaults and a sexual offence were recorded in the period 2007/08 to 2009/10.

An Arriva spokesperson said: “The safety of passengers and staff is paramount and Arriva Trains Wales works closely with British Transport and other agencies to achieve this aim. A number of initiatives have been implemented to create a safer railway.

“These include educating young people about the dangers of trespass.

“An alcohol ban has also been imposed on several routes.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/

 

[Terrafire]

It's easy to forget that large parts of Wales are amongst the most deprived in Europe, economically and educationally. Bearing that in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a high figure nationally for stations in towns of a similar size. Anyone know if there's a public domain source for these stats across the UK?

 

[Greenback]

Sadly, begging and other types of irritating and unpleasant behaviour is endemic at Swansea and Cardiif stations. Only this afternoon was a piece of garbage accosting people at the station entrance and taxi rank trying to get them to give him 40p 'for the train back to Barry'. One woman told him she sees him every day and sent him on his way, but these types of people are a nuisance and have the potential to turn nasty.

Stations generally seem to attract undesirables, Reading also had a lot of beggars when I worked there, you eventually start to know them all. I don;t think it;s any worse in Wales, it goes on in every sizeable city.

When stations are staffed, and with barriers closed, the platform areas are safer and pleasant to be on than outside.

 

[moonrakerz]

Sadly, begging and other types of irritating and unpleasant behaviour is endemic

Begging is actually a criminal act - those doing so can be prosecuted under:
1. The Vagrancy Act 1824
2. The Highways Act 1980
3. The Public Order Act 1986

and almost certainly against The Railway By-Laws.

..............but as usual - the "service" who should be upholding the Law of the Land are rarely seen, unless there is a minor traffic accident, when at least 3 vehicles are guaranteed to appear as if by magic !

 

[Greenback]

Nobody in authority has ever been interested in dealing with begging outside Reading, Swansea or Cardiff stations unless there is associated violence or threats of violence. I can understand why, as it merely moves the beggars on to somewhere else, and does nothing to cure the cause of the problem.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There is quite a lot of begging going on in London ( although it appears to have been reduced compared to a couple of years ago ) and apparently there are a number of "professional beggars" who actually earn more than most of the rest of us - I guess they aren't declaring it for tax either?!

 

[Greenback]

No, I bet they're not! There were a few like that in Reading 10 years ago.

I'd like to know exactly what constitutes a criminal act. I'm sure it's the same sort of low level crimes that ar eprevalent on most high streets - and not really a railway problem more a society problem. I'm far more nervous going down High St (due to the numbers of beggars, drug addicts and alcoholics frequenting the area) in Swansea than I am on the station, yet articles in the press seem to imply that the railway is riddled with crime.

 

[222666]

I think there's a threshold of which OB will take things REALLY seriously, look at Manchester a few years before the Commonwealth games & gun crime. General yobbish behaviour is expected in some places, sad but true, the fact that taxes are paid doesn't really matter. Not enough OB.

I think some of North Wales coastal resorts are similar to some in East Anglia (Lowestoft, Gt Yarmouth etc...), high unemployment, drelict property, & heroin

 

[Greenback]

Heroin is also the curse of Llanelli, but all these places have one thing in common, they are now a pale shadow of their former selves. As you say, decayed and run down, many residents devoid of hope and prospects. That's when heroin takes a hold...

 

[Dennis]

RSSB used to publish a useful crime report, like this one here ; think ORR has taken this over now.

TFL also produce one which is very detailed and includes buses but obviously is quite limited geographically.

ITN report here with some familiar footage.

 

[Terrafire]

Thanks for that Dennis; it's interesting (if depressing) reading. The British Transport Police also have a map of crime statistics on their website, although it's a bit gimicky to be frank.

 

[merlodlliw]

Heroin is also the curse of Llanelli, but all these places have one thing in common, they are now a pale shadow of their former selves. As you say, decayed and run down, many residents devoid of hope and prospects. That's when heroin takes a hold...

How true, I lived in Rhyl for 20 odd years up to 1973, The decay started in the 60s it is now an awful ghetto area, last time I visited the station needles,filth
was everywhere, addicts seem to sleep on the station,awful.

 

[krus_aragon]

Sadly, begging and other types of irritating and unpleasant behaviour is endemic at Swansea and Cardiif stations.

I find that begging is endemic throughout Cardiff's city centre, and not really concentrated at the Station (unless they gather at peak times).

Good investigative standards from the Dail-y-Post there: the only alcohol restrictions ATW operate are in some of the Cardiff valleys, nowhere near Liverpool and North Wales!

 

[Greenback]

I find that begging is endemic throughout Cardiff's city centre, and not really concentrated at the Station (unless they gather at peak times).

Good investigative standards from the Dail-y-Post there: the only alcohol restrictions ATW operate are in some of the Cardiff valleys, nowhere near Liverpool and North Wales!

I haven't noticed so much begging in Cardiff city centre, but then I don't go there that often.

In Swansea there's a lot of begging in the streets surrounding the station, but that's more likely because of the hostels in the area.

 

[krus_aragon]

I haven't noticed so much begging in Cardiff city centre, but then I don't go there that often.

I see more of them as I work in the city centre five days a week, and it feels much more prevalent compared with Anglesey/Bangor, where I grew up.

Having said that, Cardiff's beggars are usually outnumbered by the teams of young people looking for people to sign up for charity donations, and always outnumbered by Big Issue retailers!