An increase in violent attacks on rail passengers prompted concern from one of British Transport Police’s (BTP) most senior officers.
A 17 per cent rise in violent offences between April and June compared to a year ago has been recorded by the force.
The total number of such offences increased to 103, while fewer were solved.
The clear-up rate was 41 per cent – 22 percentage points down on 2021.
Officers told a meeting of the Scottish Railways Policing Committee there had also been a ‘significant’ increase in public order incidents.
BTP linked the increase to busier post-covid trains and more people going out at night, with alcohol ‘often a key instigating factor with main hub locations most affected’.
Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland said: “We have seen a rise in the number of violence offences against passengers in this first quarter [of 2022/23].
“That’s obviously a concern to us.
“In terms of public order offences against passengers, there has been a significant increase there as well.”
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