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    20

    Jun 2023

    Last Updated: 19/06/2023
    Transport
    Transport

    Two girls arrested after trespassing on Harrogate rail tracks

    by Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter

    | 20 Jun, 2023
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    img_0012-1
    A Northern service leaving Harrogate station.

    Two girls have been arrested for trespassing on the railway at Harrogate Station and racially abusing a member of staff.

    British Transport Police confirmed officers attended the station at 8pm on Monday, May 15, to reports of two teenagers on the track.

    The girls, aged 14 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and racially abusing a member of staff.

    A British Transport Police spokesperson told the Stray Ferret that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    In response to the incident, Tony Baxter, regional director for Northern, said:

    “Last month, two females climbed a security fence from a car park adjoining the railway at Harrogate station and trespassed on the tracks.
    “During our attempts to remove the women from what is a very dangerous environment, they gave verbal abuse and made racist remarks towards a member of Northern staff.
    “This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and the matter was referred to British Transport Police.”





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    The incident has raised questions about safety after Northern was reported to be planning to remove staff from the ticket gate at the station.

    Andrew Whitworth, vice-chairman of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said:

    “I think the point about the safety benefit of an extra pair of eyes on what is the busiest platform is a very good additional argument for keeping staff there.
    “It is of course a busy exit - used by people living on that side of town, by car park users and people who use it as a drop off point (eg taxis are often called there, especially as it’s the main platform for London trains).
    “Meanwhile Northern said they were setting barriers to reject any ticket which had been bought with a railcard so that the railcard could be checked – to then remove staff from the barriers would create a lot of inconvenience.
    “Northern have argued that closing ticket offices would lead to more staff available to help customers on the platforms – this proposal suggests that they are intent on removing staff everywhere.”


    Northern has not commented on the reports that it is considering removing staff from barriers. It also did not respond to questions about the safety implications of removing ticket staff after the incident on May 15.