Crime falls on Britain’s railways

Crime on Britain’s rail systems saw a 9.1% fall in 2011/12, the eighth successive year crime has gone down, British Transport Police has said.

Figures for 12 crime groups published by British Transport Police today show that violent crime fell by 2.9%, whilst robberies were down 9.6% and vandalism (criminal damage) by 21.6%. Theft also fell, with theft of passengers’ property down 10.4% and theft of railway property down 12.8%.

“This has been a very successful year for BTP and the rail industry,” said Chief Constable Andy Trotter.

“This sustained downward trend in crime is a tribute to the excellent partnerships we have with rail operators, who continue to invest in the security of their customers and staff. It also reflects the hard work of BTP staff across Britain at a time when we are demanding more and more from them as budgets decline.”

The crime figures are published on the day that Secretary of State Justine Greening will open a new London CCTV Hub bringing together access to 33,000 cameras from 16 rail operators.

In 2011/12, BTP achieved ‘all 11 of its national policing plan targets and 43 out of 47 local targets’. National targets include ‘reducing crime, disruption and anti-social behaviour whilst improving value for money’.

Crime on the railways over the past five years has fallen by over 30%, BTP said.