The train stations in Wales where the most crimes and anti-social behaviour are committed have been revealed. The reported crimes include violent and sexual offences, theft and drug-related offences.
The station where commuters are most likely to face trouble is Cardiff Central. There were 151 incidents between March 2022 and February this year. As the station is the largest and biggest in Wales, this won’t come as a surprise. According to British Transport Police, Cardiff Central station sees over 6.3 million passengers a year. A proportion of those figures will also be for incidents on trains travelling into the station where they are then recorded
But the number of crimes reported between 2022-2023 has dropped from the previous year, which saw 177 incidents. Of the Cardiff Central total, 51 were violent or sexual offences and 25 were drug related. Another 23 related to public order offences, which includes harassment, drink-related offences or anything disrupting the public. There were also nine cases of bicycle theft and 13 shoplifting offences.
Read more: The areas of Cardiff where the most crime has been reported so far this year
Next on the list was Swansea station with 51 reported incidents, a decrease from 54 the year before. A total of 16 of the reports concerned violent and sexual offences, 12 were drug related and another nine concerned public order offences.
Newport station sits third on the list with 26 reported crimes – the same as the year prior. The most common incidents were bicycle theft or drug-related offences, both had six reported incidents each. There were also four violent or sexual offences reported.
Number of crimes committed at train stations from March 2022 to February 2023:
Cardiff Central – 151
Swansea – 51
Newport – 26
Colwyn Bay – 23
Pontypridd – 22
Llandudno Junction – 17
Rhyl – 17
Barry Dock – 16
Bridgend – 14
Barry – 12
Llanelli – 12
Bangor – 11
Prestatyn – 11
Grangetown - 10
Treforest Estate – 10
Newbridge - 8
Pencoed – 8
Port Talbot Parkway – 8
Wrexham General – 8
Flint – 7
Neath – 7
Tir-Phil – 7
Seventh on the list Rhyl had 17 reported incidents. Although the station sees 75% less passengers than Swansea station, it saw more public order related crimes (11). Nearly half of the reported incidents at eighth on the list Barry Dock related to criminal damage and arson.
In response to the high number of crimes committed at Cardiff Central station, British Transport Police said: “A proportion of those figures will be for incidents on trains travelling into the station where they are then recorded. Officers are deployed at Cardiff Central day and night in uniform and plain clothes to identify offenders and tackle crime on the network.
“While we understand any crime figures can be a concern, it’s important to contextualise that the railway network is still a very safe place to be. We’ve been working tirelessly to encourage more reporting of sexual offences so an increase in these figures is a positive step – it means more and more people are understanding this behaviour is unacceptable and having the confidence to report it to us, knowing they can use our discreet text service 61016 or the Railway Guardian app.”
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