Revealed: ‘alarming’ number of

A VIOLENT assault by a 12-year-old child, a range of sexual offences and intent to supply drugs were among the crimes recorded at Welsh railway stations during a year-long period.

The figures emerged after a Freedom of Information request by the Welsh Conservatives about offences at Welsh railway stations.

The information revealed a total of 804 crimes at stations in Wales between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016 – the most recent period for which figures are available.

There were 247 crimes recorded by police at Cardiff Central Station including a bomb hoax. They also included possessing drugs, assault, harassment towards rail staff, theft, being drunk and disorderly and failing to stop after an accident.

There were also instances of causing damage and racially or religiously aggravated harassment.

An incident of someone throwing a firework at Cardiff Bay station was also recorded.

The figures also categorise crimes by the age of the offender, with the youngest aged just 11 and the oldest aged 68.

One incident, at Eastbrook station in Dinas Powys, was of grievous bodily harm and carried out by a 12-year-old.

Victims included passengers, offduty police and British Transport Police officers.

There were also instances of fraud in Bridgend and travel fraud in Radyr as well as damage to train company property in works yards.

Conservative AM Russell George said: “These findings are alarming, and more work needs to be done by Arriva Trains Wales and the British Transport Police to ensure that train stations are the safe and inviting spaces that passengers expect.

“Sadly, most rail users can recall a time where they have felt vulnerable when travelling on public transport – particularly late at night.

“But residents across Wales will be alarmed at the number of violent crimes at train stations over the year.”

Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies, said: “The new rail franchise is due to be awarded by Welsh Government and the safety of the travelling public must be at the heart of negotiations over a new contract. In particular, we want to see a commitment from the new franchisee to work with transport police to reduce crime at Welsh railway stations.”

Superintendent Andy Morgan of British Transport Police said: “Passenger journeys in Wales are now in excess of 30 million each year. Against that background of record numbers, the Wales Sub Division of British Transport Police has consistently driven down crime levels over a 10-year period to 2015/16, so there is no need for passengers to be alarmed.

“Although the figures show that the chances of becoming a victim of crime are very low – with just over two crimes a day being committed across the entire Welsh rail network, on average, or one crime per 37,000 passenger journeys – we know the perception doesn’t always match reality and we work tirelessly to make sure that people are not only safe, but feel safe and secure too.

“We are committed to driving violence and intimidating behaviour from the railway, which is reflected in the fact there has been a 24% decrease in serious