Northern Rail bosses in crackdown on rail yobs (From Keighley News)

Northern Rail bosses in crackdown on rail yobs

9:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in News By Alistair Shand

A crackdown on crime on the district’s railways has been unveiled.

Bosses at Northern Rail, which operates trains on the Airedale line, have launched a poster campaign urging people to report crime in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

Figures released by the company show that anti-social behaviour in Bradford district has already fallen by 65 per cent in the last 12 months – but it admits more needs to be done.

Incidents in recent months have included lives being put at risk by mindless vandals hurling stones and bricks at trains, and an assault on a Steeton teenager at Leeds railway station which left him with a broken jaw.

Wayne Earnshaw, a prosecutor for Northern Rail, said: “We are trying our best to tackle the whole issue of anti-social behaviour.

“We know our customers and everybody in general has just about had enough of such behaviour and we have realised that we are getting information in from customers identifying incidents of anti-social behaviour, which we are extremely pleased about.

“We will do everything in our power to hold people accountable.”

Martyn Guiver, head of crime management for Northern, said: “We are seeking assistance from our law-abiding customers and asking them to help us identify those who cause a problem for our passengers.

“We have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour across our network in the last 12 months, however this is something we want to bring down even further.

“Even though we have invested heavily in CCTV on trains, at many stations and a mobile vehicle, we rely on our passengers to help us ensure anyone carrying out anti-social behaviour is brought to the attention of British Transport Police.”

Incidents can be reported to British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.