Police have revealed that more late-night patrols have been put in place at rail stations in Bradford on the day the Telegraph & Argus obtained figures highlighting the most crime-hit rail stations across the district.

A total of 370 crimes – an average of more than one a day – have been committed at 18 rail stations in and around Bradford over the last year, according to figures released by British Transport Police following a Freedom of Information request.

Shipley station, where 74 crimes were recorded in 2011, tops the table of the most crime-hit stations, shortly followed by Bradford Interchange, with 67 offences, and Keighley, with 46.

Andy Rowley, who made a citizen’s arrest after tracking down a man who robbed his son at knifepoint at Shipley Station in 2004, described the latest figures as “shocking”.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Mr Rowley said: “If there was more police presence at the larger stations, then these crimes could be avoided.”

Of the crimes at Shipley station, 20 related to theft of metal, including cable theft, six were theft of personal property and six were assaults.

A further breakdown of last year’s figures shows that Bradford Interchange had seven stone-throwing incidents, four thefts, and three racially or religiously-aggravated incidents.

At the other end of the scale, no incidents were recorded at Ben Rhydding, just three at Burley-in-Wharfedale and four at Baildon.

Meanwhile, sexual offences were recorded at three stations across the district, including a person exposing himself at Bradford Interchange, and acts outraging public decency at Burley-in-Wharfedale and at Steeton and Silsden.

British Transport Police pointed out that low level offences such as railway byelaw offences, trespass and stone throwing, along with metal theft make up the majority of the offences recorded.

Serious offences and offences involving passengers, such as violence and robberies, also remain both very low and relatively rare, police added.

Chief Inspector Derek O’Mara of British Transport Police said: “These figures show railway stations in the Bradford area are safe, and that the chances of becoming a victim of crime are very low.”

A BTP spokesman said: “Our officers regularly conduct high-visibility patrols at stations and on trains throughout the area, and we’re also focusing our efforts on putting more officers out on patrol late at night, when we know people feel more anxious.”

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Three high-profile crimes

December 5: A 51-year-old man from Keighley was punched in the face, robbed of his rucksack and left lying on the ground following an alleged attack at Shipley Station. A 16-year-old boy from Shipley has been charged with the robbery on December 5 and an earlier assault at Bingley station on November 24. He is due to appear at Bradford Youth Court on January 24.

November 9: A teenager was attacked with an axe, suffering a cut hand, as he was walking down a ramp to the platform at Keighley. Two 16-year-olds from Keighley have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the axe attack on November 9.

Ross Harrison, then 18, was locked up for three years for robbing a 16-year-old boy at Guiseley railway station on May 3, while on bail for a previous attack.

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