... safe trains ..

At around 10, in the morning, about a year ago, at Queensborough Station, close to the center of London. I was targetted by 3 yobs. I was abused and jostled. They seemed to find the fact I had a bald patch funny. As I climbed down the stairs to get out of the station I was spat on. I telephoned the transport police to report the matter. They never came back to me or wrote to me - ie this incident was not counted towards the crime statistics.

This is the reason I now carry a mobile phone. I have mentioned this in a letter to Jack Straw, then Home secretary, but am still awaiting a reply.

A few weeks late at night ago my 18 year old daughter had just left an unmanned station with some of her friends. Two boys threatend them, and although unprovoked then knocked to the ground one of the boys and then kicked him. They ran off before my daughter's
other friends could react. The lcoal police were helpful, but did not have the resources to follow up the incident.

Most times I use public transport at night I feel insecure. Often there are groups of youths who are abusive and threatening. Most
times there are no incidents as other travellers just avoid eye contact. I am fortunate in that my local station is close to a pub
and houses. I am therefore less likely to be attacked and I am more likely to get help, or at least be heard by people who would
summon the police.

A girl was attacked at knife point a few weeks in a more isolated unmanned station locally.

I would be willing to use public far more if there was better security around stations, bus stations and on on the public transport
itself.