Rise in violence on trains is revealed

More than 1,000 offences including violence, harassment and drunk and disorderly behaviour were recorded by British Transport Police on trains and at stations in the West Midlands in the past two years, according to latest figures.

They ranged from "low level misbehaviour" by football fans, through to aggression towards rail staff. In total 696 incidents were recorded in 2008/09 and 682 last year.

They included 415 for public order offences, the most common crime recorded by the police in the last two years.

The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request .

There were 144 cases of public order offences including distress last year alone — a huge rise compared to just a single reported incident in 2008/9.

But increased numbers of police officers on the beat and train staff reporting bad behaviour on Midland railways are helping the fight against crime, a leading officer said today.

West Midlands sector inspector Chief Inspector Allan Gregory said: "Train operators are attuned to the damage anti-social behaviour can have on their patronage and they quickly raise their concerns and encourage their staff to report offences, or highlight any concerns, immediately, he said.

"British Transport Police remains committed to tackling anti-social behaviour as we are aware that this is a key concern for passengers and staff on the railway network."

He added the force was trying to tackle problems not just at large town or city stations but also isolated incidents at branch stations.