OVER 500 crimes have been reported at Gloucestershire train stations since 2022, including sexual offences.

Figures obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice showed Gloucestershire train stations reported 163 crimes in 2022, 187 crimes in 2023, and 195 crimes last year - totalling 545.

Of these total figures, ten were reported sexual offences. Four in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and two last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor of the British Transport Police said: "Tackling sexual offences is our top priority at British Transport Police, and we take every report of sexual harassment or violence extremely seriously.

"We know that these crimes commonly go under-reported, which is why we relentlessly campaign to encourage witnesses and victims to report these offences to us. With this, we expect the number of reports to continue to rise.

“We view this increase as a positive sign that our efforts are paying off, and that women and girls are feeling more confident to report all forms of sexual harassment and violence on the rail network to us.”

The figures also showed rises in theft of passenger property, drug offences, and bicycle offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor said: "We are working tirelessly to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour. We have patrols of uniformed and specially trained plain clothes officers across the railway day and night to catch offenders and reassure passengers as they travel, along with access to over 150,000 cameras across the railway network, which can provide us with clear, high-quality images.

"Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build a picture of an offender. Often it allows us to notice a pattern of offending behaviour so we can take action.”

If you spot criminal activity on Gloucestershire railways, you should report it to police using 101 or 999 in an emergency.