FEWER crimes are being committed at railway stations and on lines in Dorset and Hampshire, new figures have revealed.

Statistics published by the British Transport Police show there has been a 1.5 per cent reduction in all railway crime in the London South area of the force, which covers south London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset.

Motor vehicle and cycle offences fell 4.4 per cent, criminal damage was down by 16 per cent and line of route offences, which include obstructing trains and endangering safety, saw an 11 per cent reduction.

But sexual offences rose by 17.8 per cent from 180 offences to 212.

Theft of passenger property also rose by 5.1 per cent and theft of railway property by 7.1 per cent.

Fraud offences were on the rise by 36.1 per cent from 166 offences to 226.

And incidents of public disorder rose by 3.8 per cent.

Chief Superintendent Steve Morgan, London South Area Commander, said: “All in all, this was a challenging year and my officers and staff delivered some excellent results, with crime on the rail network in the south continuing on a downward trend for the seventh year in a row.

“The reduction in offences is very good news, but economics is having its effect. “Cable theft continues to represent a real challenge for us, the rail industry and other utilities.

“The record price of metals on world markets has made this type of crime seem increasingly attractive, although the actual returns to the thieves are pretty modest.”