EDINBURGH and Glasgow stations are the worst in Scotland for crimes on the rail network during the annual festive frenzy of alcohol, sex, drugs and violence, according to police.
There were 35 incidents in the capital’s main station and six at Haymarket in the five weeks leading up to January 2 this year, British Transport Police said.
Glasgow Central was close behind with 30 incidents, and there were a further 16 incidents at Glasgow Queen Street and six at nearby Croy.
Aberdeen and Perth were also high on the festive blackspots with six incidents apiece.
The majority of incidents during last year’s festivities involved minor disorder (132), but there were 55 violent incidents, nine sex crimes and nine incidents involving drugs.
There was a sharp increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents across the UK rail network last year.
The number of violent offences reported during the festive period at railway stations across England, Scotland and Wales increased by 14% last year, compared with the same period in 2015/16. Almost one in 10 of those offences involved alcohol.
Of the 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the UK railway in 2016/17, 16% of those took place over the festive period.
In the last ten years, 21 people have been killed due to alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge and a further 91 people seriously injured.
Passengers boarding and alighting trains were involved in 469 alcohol-related accidents in the last five years. David Lister, safety and sustainability director for the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We do everything we can to make moving around our stations as easy and safe as possible, however, excessive drinking does often play a role in many of the incidents we see on our network.
“We want people to enjoy their evenings and get home safe and this campaign will hopefully act as a gentle reminder to take extra care when out enjoying yourself this Christmas.”
Tom Lee, Director of Standards at RSSB, said: “Travelling by train is very safe and we want everyone to have a harmless and punctual journey whilst enjoying the festive season.
“However, with around 469 alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge over the past five years, passengers and level crossing users are reminded to take care so that they get to and from their destination safely.
According to BTP, there is also a rise in violence at many of the busiest railway stations over the festive season, much of which is caused by excess alcohol.
British Transport Police are stepping up patrols at railway stations across the country during the festive period. Superintendent David Marshall said: “We’re not in the business of spoiling anyone’s fun, but we want to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable festive season.
“We do see a rise in anti-social and public order offences in the run up to Christmas and the New Year and sadly much of this is a result of partygoers drinking to excess and behaving in an unacceptable way. “We advise people to plan their journey in advance, and we will be stepping up our patrols on rail services and at stations over the coming weeks to ensure those travelling on the rail network over this busy period can do so safely and securely. “We know ScotRail are planning on running additional late night trains, my officers will be highly visible either at stations or on board their services to deter anti-social behaviour and to help passengers get home. There is no excuse for spoiling other people’s journeys or behaving any differently because you may have consumed alcohol. We want you to have fun but it’s more important to get where you’re going safely.” Network Rail and BTP will be holding alcohol awareness events at the UK’s busiest rail stations in the run up to Christmas.
Both organisations will also be targeting people pubs and clubs near railway stations and level crossings with a reminder to ‘keep a clear head’.
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