Durham is rail crime hotspot

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Mar 2010

According to Network Rail, Durham City has one of the highest rates of rail crime in the region. Incidents here in the last year alone caused 8000 minutes of delays for passengers.

Representatives from the Network Rail asked to meet with Carol Woods, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Durham to discuss the issue in light of her well-publicised campaign to cut crime.

Carol Woods said "Railway crime is often overlooked as an issue and I was pleased that Network Rail contacted me to highlight the problem in Durham. I think people will be surprised that incidents of rail crime are high in Durham and steps must be taken to tackle the problem.

"Railway crime can involve damage to property, assaults on people or anti-social behaviour. It can also mean delays for passengers. In the case of trespassing, the perpetrators are endangering themselves and others with their actions.

"I am fully supportive of Network Rail and their efforts to work in partnership with organisations in the city like ASB Teams, Youth Offending Services, Local Police and the Samaritans to prevent railway crime.

"There is also the broader issue of funding cuts to the police. Durham has suffered huge police cuts in recent years and this inevitably impacts on efforts to cut crime. The British Transport Police work closely with the traditional police force and cuts in one area affects the other.

"While Labour have talked tough on crime I see no evidence of effective action being taken to deal with the very real problem of rail crime in Durham."