Revealed: Railway stations where crimes are most likely

PASSENGERS at Wigan North Western railway station were the most likely to witness a crime last year, according to M.E.N. analysis of official statistics.

A study of UK Police data revealed 45 crimes at the station in the 12 months to December last year.

That works out as 2.8 crimes for every 100,000 people entering or exiting the station – the highest figure in Greater Manchester.

Just last month the station was taped off by police and a facade was left smashed up after thieves drove a car into the main entrance.

Eyewitnesses said a gang fled with the cash machine from inside.

Police later confirmed the ATM was taken but was found dumped nearby.

Wigan North Western was followed by Rochdale (2.8 crimes for every 100,000 passengers), Deansgate (2.6) and Littleborough, Rochdale, (2.6).

Manchester Piccadilly saw the highest number of crimes – 675 – but it also has the most passengers. That figure for Piccadilly represents a fall.

Across Greater Manchester, the figures show there were 1,375 crimes recorded by British Transport Police on or near railway stations in the 12 months to December 2019.

That’s down by 14 per cent on the year before, when there were 1,598.

The most common type of crime was violence and sexual offences (276 crimes), followed by other theft (270) and public order (255).

Nationally, the number of crimes recorded by British Transport Police rose by 1.4 per cent in the last year.