East Antrim rail team reducing anti-social behaviour at stations

Translink has said a new partnership with the PSNI has led to a reduction of anti-social behaviour at rail stations and lines in east Antrim.
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The public transport operator reported a decrease of incidents during October and positive feedback from passengers in relation to the new PSNI Safe Transport Team (read here).

Veronica Woods, Translink NI Railways Northern Area route manager, said; “We are pleased to see early positive results from our new partnership with the PSNI. We have been glad to be able to work alongside community organisations such as the YMCA and Carrick Connect, who have been a great support to us in helping to keep our stations safe.

“Over the coming period, we will be working alongside the PSNI and other stakeholders to further educate young people on the dangers of loitering at or near stations and the railway line, and we look forward to building on our relationship with local schools in the weeks ahead in order to progress this further.

Train (stock image).Train (stock image).
Train (stock image).

“We are also working closely with the local community and recently held an online follow-up session with local representatives and stakeholders in the Carrickfergus area to update on initiatives that would allow us to engage with local young people on the risks of loitering near our sites, including station enhancements to prevent loitering and upgrading CCTV, which allows us have full trackside coverage. Additional staff are also deployed to the area at weekends to ensure passenger and staff safety.”

Translink added that keeping people safe is a top priority and what it’s doing in East Antrim is part of a wider-ranging programme to raise awareness around public safety, particularly at this time.

“We look forward to building on existing relationships over the coming months and we continue to encourage parents and carers to know where their children are, particularly at evenings and weekends, and to discourage anti-social behaviour to ensure that everyone’s journey is safe,” the route manager said.

“NI Railways passengers can also play their part in helping us keep people safe and assisting the Safe Transport Team by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right or seems suspicious. Officers will regularly travel on local public transport and around stations ready to listen and act, so please speak with them if you witness any suspicious or criminal activity.

“You can also report a crime or anti-social behaviour via the non-emergency number 101 or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. In an emergency always dial 999.”

Click here to read: Funding for Carrick Connect mentoring programme

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