Passengers on trains from Middlesbrough and York are facing a booze ban after rising problems with alcohol-fuelled disorder.
British Transport Police has said passengers will not be allowed to consume or carry alcohol on a number of trains travelling between Teesside stations and York this Saturday.
The trains that will be “dry” are the 9.28am, 10.28am, 11.28am and 12.28pm services from Middlesbrough.
BTP Chief Inspector Derek O’Mara said: “There has been a noticeable increase in the number of complaints from passengers who have been travelling on these services and they report having been subjected to alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.
“We have also seen an increasing trend of large groups of people from Teesside travelling down to York for the day to visit pubs and bars then returning in the early evening.
“A number of these people are pre-loading or bringing large quantities of alcohol with them to consume on the train prior to their arrival in York.
“Trains are not extensions of bars and clubs; they are used by everyone including families, young people and the elderly. Other passengers do not want to travel and be subjected to the drunk, intoxicated and often intimidating behaviour of others under the influence of alcohol.
“Too often we then have to deal with these people later in the day and into the early evening. They are turning up at York to catch the train back to Teesside heavily intoxicated causing problems and putting themselves, members of the public, rail staff and officers at risk.
“Excess alcohol consumption is a well-know pre-cursor to antisocial behaviour and allowing extremely drunk people to travel is a recipe for disaster. If passengers are turning up at the station attempting to travel in this state, officers and rail staff will not allow them to travel and they will be asked to leave the station and travel by other means.”
Similar restrictions were brought in as part of an operation held in December last year.
And a number of similar bans were recently imposed on trains travelling to and from London during Middlesbrough away fixtures.
Chief Insp O’Mara added, “We had some excellent feedback from passengers and rail staff when we last restricted alcohol on these services in December 2015. They were pleased to see that we were taking the issue of alcohol related anti social behaviour on trains seriously and putting in measures to address it.
“During the operation a large amount of alcohol was collected and disposed of. Passengers who officers spoke to were extremely co-operative and understanding of what we were trying to achieve, we are hoping that this behaviour will be replicated this Saturday.”
BTP officers alongside rail staff and railway revenue protection staff from train operators carry out a weekly operation on a Saturday night at York station to identify passengers who are heavily under the influence of alcohol and decide if passengers are fit to travel, and are not drunk and disorderly.
Chief Insp O’Mara added “This is not about trying to spoil people’s fun or ruining their day out. It’s about educating people to be aware of their alcohol consumption and their behaviour when around other passengers. It’s important that we listen to passengers and try to address their concerns and continue to ensure their journeys are safe, comfortable and enjoyable.”
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