Callum Johnstone
2004-04-12 15:10:14 UTC
Source: Evening Times
12/04/04
Vandal-plagued railway line to get its own police officer
A trouble-hit Scots railway line is to get its own community police
officer.
British Transport Police has appointed an officer to build relations
with teenagers on the Glasgow-to-Largs railway.
The move comes after 26 offences were carried out on the line since
the beginning of the year, often by youngsters.
The Evening Times last month revealed two youngsters, who can't be
named, were responsible for 120 crimes in and around Ayrshire
railways.
And the Largs line is now widely recognised as the most trouble-hit in
the West of Scotland.
Brian Wilson, the MP for Cunningham North, met with senior BTP
officers, including regional commander Ronnie Mellis, to find out why.
He said: "I have no doubt that the problems are being recognised and
are being taken seriously.
"There have been 26 offences committed on the Glasgow-Largs route
since the beginning of the year. That is unacceptable.
"I think the community officer is a potentially useful idea.
"Local people often know who is responsible for hanging about stations
and making life unpleasant for others.
"It is possible to build up quite a clear picture of when and where
incidents are likely to occur."
Mr Wilson also called on Strathclyde Passenger Transport to provide
more staff at stations and on trains.
He said: "After my discussions with the Transport Police, I am surer
than ever that de-staffing of trains and stations makes no economic or
social sense.
"It results in huge revenue losses and well as passenger insecurity
and vandalism."
He added: "British Transport Police and Strathclyde Police will mount
a number of operations on Ayrshire routes over the next few weeks and
I will be keeping in close touch with the effectiveness of these
measures."
12/04/04
Vandal-plagued railway line to get its own police officer
A trouble-hit Scots railway line is to get its own community police
officer.
British Transport Police has appointed an officer to build relations
with teenagers on the Glasgow-to-Largs railway.
The move comes after 26 offences were carried out on the line since
the beginning of the year, often by youngsters.
The Evening Times last month revealed two youngsters, who can't be
named, were responsible for 120 crimes in and around Ayrshire
railways.
And the Largs line is now widely recognised as the most trouble-hit in
the West of Scotland.
Brian Wilson, the MP for Cunningham North, met with senior BTP
officers, including regional commander Ronnie Mellis, to find out why.
He said: "I have no doubt that the problems are being recognised and
are being taken seriously.
"There have been 26 offences committed on the Glasgow-Largs route
since the beginning of the year. That is unacceptable.
"I think the community officer is a potentially useful idea.
"Local people often know who is responsible for hanging about stations
and making life unpleasant for others.
"It is possible to build up quite a clear picture of when and where
incidents are likely to occur."
Mr Wilson also called on Strathclyde Passenger Transport to provide
more staff at stations and on trains.
He said: "After my discussions with the Transport Police, I am surer
than ever that de-staffing of trains and stations makes no economic or
social sense.
"It results in huge revenue losses and well as passenger insecurity
and vandalism."
He added: "British Transport Police and Strathclyde Police will mount
a number of operations on Ayrshire routes over the next few weeks and
I will be keeping in close touch with the effectiveness of these
measures."