POLICE have hailed new figures showing a fall in crime on trains as proof that Scotland's railways are "safer than ever".
The British Transport Police (BTP) has reported that overall crime fell 5.7 per cent in 2008/09. Some 421 violent crimes were recorded – 26 fewer than the previous year. Incidents of criminal damage fell by 23 per cent, from 564 to 432. However, ther
e was a marked increase in drugs offences – up from 98 to 137 – while sex crimes rose from 19 to 27.
Chief Superintendent Martyn Ripley, area commander for the Scottish area of British Transport Police, said crime on Scotland's rail network had fallen the fifth consecutive year.
"This is against a backdrop of record passenger numbers with the Scottish area now policing a travelling population of over 83 million passenger journeys a year.
"We can put this down to the hard work, dedication and motivation of our officers and co-operation with our partners in the rail industry such as Network Rail and ScotRail," he said.
Mr Ripley said he was particularly pleased that violent crime was down.
"However, we will not become complacent. We are aware that theft and opportunistic offences are sensitive to economic factors and we will be closely monitoring crime during the current climate," he said.
Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, said new powers enabling BTP officers to issue fixed penalty fines would allow officers to concentrate on more serious offences.
