The number of crimes reported at West Dunbartonshire train stations have rocketed by almost 50 percent – with fears plans to slash ticket office hours will pose further safety issues.
Across the area 92 offences were reported to British Transport Police (BTP) in the year up to November 2021, with criminal damage and fire-raising, violent or sexual offences and thefts all common.
While the number of passengers dropped dramatically during the pandemic, the number of crimes increased from 62 in November 2019 to 92.
Balloch was the second worst hit station in the local authority area, behind Dalmuir, recording seven counts of violent and sexual offences, three of criminal damage/fire-raising, two for drugs, one for theft and one for other crime.
There was almost one crime a week within the Dumbarton constituency, with almost 50 offences committed at or close to train stations.
The statistics show the number of crimes reported increased by a third since 2019 – with MSP Jackie Baillie claiming they reaffirm why ScotRail proposals to cut ticket office opening hours, reported by the Lennox last week, have to be shelved.
If agreed, opening times at Alexandria, Balloch, Cardross, Dumbarton Central, Dalreoch and Helensburgh Central will be reduced.
The plans, which are under public consultation, include changes to opening times at Alexandria which would operate between 9.15am and 2.45pm on a Saturday as opposed to the current times of 6.30am until 11.30pm.
Dumbarton Central’s office, which is open until midnight Monday to Saturday, would shut at 8pm, while on Sundays it would close at 4pm instead of the current 11.10pm.
A BTP spokesperson told the Lennox Herald that the railway network in West Dunbartonshire is “still a very safe place to be”, while ScotRail insist the ticket office plans would reduce anti-social behaviour.
Jackie said: “To have almost 50 offences committed at or close to train stations throughout the Dumbarton constituency in a year is shocking.
“Unfortunately, Balloch is a flashpoint for crimes.
“These figures strengthen the argument as to why our train stations must be properly served by functioning ticket offices.
“ScotRail is currently consulting on changes to ticket offices including closures at night and early in the morning when there are fewer people around and those travelling on the railways may feel vulnerable.
“In light of these statistics and concerns which have already been raised with me by constituents, I urge ScotRail to ditch these ridiculous plans now, for the safety of passengers.”
At Helensburgh Central, three violent or sexual offences were recorded, two of bike theft, one of criminal damage/fire-raising and one of general theft, whilst six cases of criminal damage and fire-raising and one of theft were reported at Dumbarton East.
Dalreoch also saw six crimes reported; three violent or sexual offences, a theft and two counts of criminal damage.
Renton was the only station in Dumbarton and the Vale where an offensive weapon was discovered, with three cases of criminal damage/fire-raising and two of violent or sexual offences.
At Dumbarton Central there were three violent or sexual offences, a theft and a burglary, whilst four counts of criminal damage were reported at Kilpatrick.
Nearby Bowling reported two thefts and two violent or sexual offences and a theft. Alexandria had the lowest reported crime rate locally with one theft and one violent or sexual offence reported in the period up until November, whilst Helensburgh Upper reported one burglary.
A ScotRail spokesperson told the Lennox that BTP nationwide figures revealed reported crimes dropped by 28.8 percent between 2019-20 and 2020-21, and is some of the lowest in the UK.
They also said that a reduction in station hours will allow more staff to work onboard services, cutting anti-social behaviour levels.
They added: “The safety of our customers and staff is of the upmost importance, and thankfully, incidents of crime on our railway are rare.
“We’ll continue to work closely with BTP to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour and prosecute offenders.”
A BTP spokesperson said: “While we understand any rise in crime figures can be a concern, it’s important to contextualise that the railway network in West Dunbartonshire is still a very safe place to be.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to encourage more reporting of sexual offences so the increase in these figures is a positive step – it tells us more and more people are understanding this behaviour is unacceptable and having the confidence to report it to us.
“Likewise, the increase in drug and weapons related offences is evidence of our successful proactive operations to tackle this sort of crime on the railway.”
They said a County Lines Taskforce conducts intelligence-led operations in West Dunbartonshire to intercept gangs using the railway to transport drugs, with officers routinely seizing dangerous weapons and drugs, which improve passenger safety.
They added: “Covid restrictions resulted in less people using the railway.
“However this provided officers with more opportunities to engage with people on the network and identify offenders utilising it for no good.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of the rail network and would remind any passengers with any concerns to text us discreetly on 61016.”
A public consultation is currently underway on the ScotRail proposals and residents can take part by visiting www.scotrail.co.uk/scotrail-ticket-office-consultation.
