Northern to play music at stations to deal with anti-social behaviour

Rail operator Northern will now be pumping the likes of Handel, Beethoven, and Mozart into 23 of its stations after a successful a trial - these include stations such as Birchwood, in Warrington.

According to Northern, a trial across nine of its stations saw, with classical music being played, there was a drop in anti-social behaviour such as loitering, graffiti, and vandalism.

Northern says its trial across nine stations was successful (Image: Newsquest)

The trial of the new system took place over a 12-month period, and was trialled at stations including Keighley, Hyde North, Ilkley, and Newton Aycliffe.

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 the classical music will be rolled out to 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, Wetheral, and Whiston.