Agencies stand up to disorder

TRANSPORT cops have attended an emergency meeting to discuss ongoing anti-social behaviour at a railway station.

British Transport Police were at the multi-agency meeting to discuss the issues at Helensburgh Central railway station.

The meeting was requested by local MSP Jackie Baillie and was attended by senior British Transport Police officers, Police Scotland, ScotRail Alliance and local authority chairs.

At the meeting, concerns raised by rail staff and passengers were discussed. Transport cops say they want to work with the other agencies to deter and disrupt crime and antisocial behaviour.

Chief Inspector Davie Gray, from British Transport Police, said: “The meeting is a positive step towards resolving the ongoing issues at Helensburgh Central and other stations. I am grateful to my partners in ScotRail and Police Scotland for their help in tackling these concerns together.

“Violence against rail staff is inexcusable and we continue to work hard to identify and prosecute offenders. In recent weeks, we have stepped up our patrols on this stretch of the line in order to deter and detect criminality and anti-social behaviour.

“The public and rail staff should be reassured that we are taking positive and firm action against trouble makers. A number of arrests have been made and we will continue being highly visible both on board train services and at Helensburgh and other stations.”

He added: “The public can of course help us to detect these incidents by reporting crimes and concerns to our discreet reporting service. Simply text us on 61016 and our officers will investigate.

“We will continue to work closely in partnership with Police Scotland colleagues, the ScotRail Alliance and other public organisations to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.”

MSP Jackie Baillie said: “I am pleased that everyone around the table is fully committed to protecting local staff and passengers on our railways and in our stations and stamping out the kind of unacceptable behaviour we have seen in recent weeks and months.”

She added: “There should be zero tolerance of any threats or violence on our railways.”