Police warning to the rail network thieves

May 23 2008 Chester Chronicle

OFFICERS from British Transport Police (BTP) are warning that theft will not be tolerated on Cheshire’s railway network.

Two men have been arrested for theft following incidents in Chester and Frodsham while another man has been sentenced following an incident in the Runcorn area.

Officers have also been tackling the issue with a three-day initiative, to warn people about how to avoid becoming the victim of this type of theft .

On Wednesday last week, 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 bag theft on 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 and are warning thieves that we are now seeing 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 they do not become the victim of theft.”

BTP officers have just completed a 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 services between May 14-16 to provide crime prevention advice to passengers.

Officers also provided a property marking service where items such as laptops and mobile phones were individually marked so they can be returned successfully to their rightful owners if stolen. 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 more than 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.”