Train operator, Northern is set to pipe classical music inspired by Handel, Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky into 23 stations across its network as part of measures to deter anti-social behaviour.
The plan follows a pilot scheme conducted at nine stations across the North of England in the past twelve months (Billingham, Shildon, Heighington North Road, Orrell, Keighley, Hyde North, Ilkley and Newton Aycliffe) which saw a significant reduction in the number of loitering, graffiti and vandalism-related incidents during the trial. Music will only be played at certain times of the day, which will vary from station to station to have the best impact on behaviour.
Mark Powles, customer and commercial director, at Northern said:
“Anti-social behaviour is a nuisance in its lightest form and nothing short of a criminal act at its worst. Unfortunately, railway stations – like many other public areas – can attract this sort of mindless behaviour – which is unfair and unsettling to our customers. The classical music trials proved very interesting – and the results speak for themselves. We’ll now begin work on a roll-out programme across 23 targeted stations to spread that success far and wide.”
The 23 stations are: Beverley, Birchwood, Brinnington, Bryn, Cottingham, Cross Gates, Fitzwilliam, Flimby, Halewood, Haltwhistle, Hattersley, Levenshulme, Lostock Gralam, Maryport, Mill Hill, Newton for Hyde, Penistone, RainHill, Sowerby Bridge, Sunderland, Ulverston, Weatheral and Whiston. Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK. We provide 2,500 local and regional services every day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. In total, more than 100 million passenger journeys are made on our network each year.
We employ more than 7,000 people across the length and breadth of our network. We are owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for two other rail companies: LNER and SE Trains (‘Southeastern’).
We have recently introduced 100 brand new trains as part of a £500 million investment in regional rail. Our aim is to offer customers ‘a better way to go’ with further improvements across the network including the renovation of station facilities, better lighting, upgraded car parks and enhanced CCTV coverage.
Anyone can report anti-social behaviour on the rail network by contacting British Transport Police via text message on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
