Policing strategy hailed as crimes on railways fall

CRIME on Scotland's railways fell 9 per cent in the past year, according to figures published yesterday.

A wide range of reported offences dropped, leading transport police to hail their high-visibility security strategy. Assaults on officers, violent crime and hate-related crime were among the offences which decreased in 2007-8 compared to the previous year.

The data from the British Transport Police also showed the number of some offences detected by officers on the network increasing.

This figure is different to reported crimes, which are the total figure for incidents which are reported by victims.

Police claimed the rise in detection was further proof their pro-active approach to railway policing was working.

Tom Harris, the UK rail minister, said the figures were "extremely welcome".

An area which saw a major reduction was assaults on officers. This fell by 16 per cent from 150 to 126.

Violent crime fell about 13 per cent and hate-related crime about 5 per cent. Cases of anti-social behaviour dropped 8 per cent.