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Keith train rowdies warned


By SPP Reporter

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COMPLAINTS about alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour on the late night Saturday train through Moray has prompted an increased police presence on the train.

Keith passengers have been causing problems.
Keith passengers have been causing problems.

British Transport Police is warning those travelling on the 9.33pm service between the Highland Capital and stations in Moray that their rowdiness won’t be tolerated.

Sergeant Kevin Lawrence, the BTP officer in charge at Inverness, said: "Staff have reported being subjected to verbal abuse by people, mostly from Elgin or Keith who appear to have spent the day or evening in Inverness, and been told that they can’t continue to drink on the train due to ScotRail’s policy which restricts the sale and consumption of alcohol."

On Saturday, June 13 a 35-year-old local man was arrested and has been reported to the local Procurator Fiscal following his alleged threatening behaviour towards two women as he left the train at Elgin station.

Sergeant Lawrence added: "This is usually a busy service and other passengers and rail staff should be able to travel and work without encountering the unwelcome behaviour of people under the influence of alcohol.

"Railway byelaws exist for this very purpose and anyone found to be unfit through alcohol can be refused travel by the train operator or removed from the service."

"BTP and ScotRail don’t want to spoil anyone’s evening but it would be a real shame to end your night out being reported for an offence."

BTP officers will be working closely with ScotRail and colleagues in Police Scotland to monitor the behaviour of those travelling on this service."

Jacqueline Taggart, ScotRail’s customer experience director, said: "We work very closely with BTP to make sure our customers can enjoy a pleasant journey, and our policy restricting the purchase and consumption of alcohol is an important factor in ensuring comfortable journeys for all.

"Our alcohol ban is in place between 9pm and 10am, and customers should not visibly carry alcohol during these times. Whether it is opened or not."


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