Rail station worst for crime in region
MP seeks meeting after 100 crimes committed in a year
● PASSENGERS at Stockport train station are more likely to fall victim to crime than at any other in Greater Manchester outside the city centre
PASSENGERS at Stockport train station are more likely to fall victim to crime than at any other in Greater Manchester outside the city centre.
According to Police UK figures there were 99 crimes at or near Stockport’s main station in the 12 months to December 2018. This was the third highest figure in Greater Manchester - only beaten by Manchester Piccadilly (800) and Manchester Victoria (226).
Hazel Grove was 10th highest with 14, while Gatley had 9.
Ann Coffey, MP for Stockport, said she would be seeking an urgent meeting with Stockport police to discuss the figures.
“This is very concerning,” she added. “Passengers using the railways need to feel safe both inside and outside the station. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Stockport police to see what the main causes are and what can be done to make it a safer environment for passengers.”
Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Gwynne, said he was ‘concerned’ by the news, adding: “Sadly, cuts to train station staff as well as reductions in the police budget and Community Support Officer numbers have led to increased crime on Britain’s railways. I meet with the Chief Superintendent of Stockport periodically and will raise the issue with him and seek assurances on what is being done to keep commuters and locals around the station safe.”
The news comes as rail union RMT – behind the walk-outs hitting Northern services every weekend – calls for a halt to staffing cuts on stations and platforms – the issue at the heart of the dispute.
Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “These statistics reinforce a pattern of increasing abuse and violence on our trains and platforms. They should serve as a wake up call to both the government and a number of the train operators who are ignoring this brutal reality.”
According to the figures, recorded by the British Transport Police (BTP), there were 1,608 crimes across Greater Manchester train stations in 2018.
This is an increase from 1,549 the previous year up four per cent. Among these were 326 public order offences, 318 violent or sexual offences, 507 thefts and 169 drug offences.
However Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell, from BTP, said: “Tackling any rise in crime and removing weapons from the rail network remains our top priority.”