Two arrested in crackdown on Cheshire railways theft

May 20 2008 Chester Chronicle

OFFICERS from British Transport Police (BTP) are warning thieves that theft of luggage and passengers’ property will not be tolerated on the railway network in Cheshire.

The warning comes after two men were arrested for theft following separate incidents in Chester and Frodsham. Another man has been sentenced following a separate incident in the Runcorn area.

Officers have also been tackling the issue with a three-day initiative from May 14 -16, to warn people about how to avoid becoming the victim of this type of theft on the Crewe to Liverpool line.

On Wednesday, May 14, officers from BTP arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the attempted theft of luggage from a train at Chester on April 9. He has been charged and remanded in custody to appear at Mold Crown Court on May 25.

Following a separate incident, when a bag was stolen from a train at Frodsham Station on January 25, a 20-year-old man from North Wales was arrested on Friday, May 16 on suspicion of theft. He has been reported for summons.

Inspector Sonja Simister of BTP said: “We take the theft of personal property extremely seriously at British Transport Police and are warning thieves that we are now seeing some real success in detecting these offences.

“People should be aware that the railway network has an excellent CCTV system which assists British Transport Police officers in identifying those responsible.

“I am also urging passengers to be vigilant with their personal belongings and take some simple crime prevention steps to ensure that they do not become the victim of theft.”

Officers from British Transport Police have just completed a proactive three day initiative on trains and at stations along the Crewe to Liverpool line.

Working in partnership with Virgin Trains and London Midland Trains, officers were highly visible on peak-time train services between May 14-16 to provide crime prevention advice to passengers in order to reduce their chances of becoming the victim of crime.

Officers also provided a property marking service whereby items such as laptops and mobile phones were individually marked so that if these items are stolen and recovered they can be returned successfully to their rightful owners. Handbag alarms were also given to women to make them feel safer when travelling alone.

Inspector Simister added: “The three day initiative was a resounding success with over 200 separate items marked and 50 handbag alarms issued. I hope that as a result of the operation people are more aware of what they can do to avoid becoming a victim of crime.”