Rail stations attacks spark security call
Thefts, robberies and attacks with weapons are among scores of crimes reported at railway stations across Staffordshire and the Black Country every year, figures revealed today.
New figures have revealed that 167 suspected offences were investigated by police at stops across the region between February last year and the end of last month.
More crimes were reported at Wolverhampton Railway Station than at any other, with 85 offences probed by officers.
Calls were today made for increased security at stations with Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, saying he would raise the issue with British Transport Police Chief Constable Andrew Trotter.
Mr Williamson said: "We need to make passengers feel safe when they are in railway stations and getting on trains."
Figures show that in Wolverhampton, there were 85 crimes between February last year and the end of January this year, compared to 121 for the same period in the previous 12 months. At Stourbridge Junction, there were 23 offences over the past year compared to 11 in the previous, while in Stafford, there were 21 reported crimes compared to 10 the previous year.
Lichfield City station saw 31 offences over the two years, with a further 35 taking place at The Hawthorns station in West Bromwich and three at Cannock.
Walsall station saw just the one crime over the past year, while there were five in the previous 12 months. Last month, a 56-year-old Portsmouth fan was attacked at Walsall train station by a group of men, following Portsmouth's defeat to Walsall FC.
Meanwhile, last May, a member of staff was sexually assaulted at Wolverhampton station. Mr Williamson said: "Passengers will only trains if they feel safe and secure."
