Two trains leaving Carlisle station on Saturday nights were ‘dry’. A no alcohol policy was enforced on last Saturday’s 8.15pm and 9.45pm Northern Rail services, in an effort to cut disorder. Those hoping to catch the last train home were made to dispose of any drinks and bottles into a bin at the station before allowed to board.
An extra deployment of British Transport Police (BTP) officers was also despatched to the station to enforce the alcohol restrictions and monitor crime and disorder. Working with Northern Rail and Virgin, the patrol will form part of a regular policing plan to reinforce the message that alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour has no place on the railway, says BTP.
Inspector Garry Ashbridge said: “The message here is clear – anti social behaviour will not be tolerated. There will be a zero tolerance approach to anyone caught with alcohol on these services – passengers have had plenty of warning about the ‘dry’ train service in operation. We will clamp down on any disorder or anti social behaviour on this and any other service. Passengers in a drunken state risk being refused travel and will have to get home by other means.”
Martyn Guiver, head of crime management for Northern Rail added: “We have a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour on our network, whether that is towards our customers or our employees. Every passenger is entitled to travel without fear for their safety and each Northern Rail employee has the right to work in a safe environment. We’ll be working closely with our colleagues at the British Transport Police and Virgin to support these dry services, ensuring both customers and employees can travel safely on-board our trains.”
