Staff our stations Conservatives tell WAGN/ONE 30/01/06

Passengers are being exposed to violence and intimidation as railway companies neglect station security, say Tottenham Conservatives.

The WAGN/ONE line, which calls at Stamford Hill, Seven Sisters, Bruce Grove, White Hart Lane, Silver Street and Edmonton Green, runs through some of London's worst areas for crime and all but one of its six stations is left unstaffed at night.

Passengers using the stations after 8pm find them deserted and feel vulnerable to attack.

Justin Hinchcliffe, Conservative candidate for White Hart Lane and a daily commuter, said: "Muggers know there aren't any station staff in the evening - they can operate with impunity and no-one's there to report them."

With over 2,500 violent crimes on London Transport last year, and over 8,500 thefts, passengers are worried that unstaffed stations could become crime hotspots.

James Orpin, a medical student who uses White Hart Lane station everyday, said: "I feel very worried using the station after dark. The time when people feel most unsafe is exactly the time they are left unstaffed."

Train companies have earned millions in profit by leaving stations unstaffed, but have been heavily criticised for ignoring safety. The investigation into the murder of city lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce at Kensall Green Station, highlighted the lack of security at many stations.

Mayor Ken Livingstone recently insisted that the next franchise on the Silverlink lines must include staff at all stations while they are open, but no such promise has been made for the WAGN/ONE lines.

"Conservatives would urge WAGN/ONE to take more responsibility for their customers' safety. They make huge profits from Tottenham passengers - let them invest in safety at Tottenham stations," Mr Hinchcliffe added.

ENDS