POLICE Inspector Andy Bicknell is appealing to Congleton parents to play their part in a crackdown on hooligans wreaking havoc at a train station.

Congleton Railway Station has long suffered from sporadic vandalism, not helped by the station being open and unmanned in the evenings.

However the station has come under sustained attack in recent months from yobs and graffiti artists intent on wrecking a facelift given to it by Railtrack.

Windows have been smashed, local people using the station have been verbally abused, and property daubed with graffiti.

In addition numerous children were found playing on the railway track, a line regularly used by high speed trains.

Crewe British Transport Police are treating Congleton as one of their top priorities, and have allocated officers to patrol the station.

They are also joining forces with Railtrack and train operating company Great North Western in a bid to end the catalogue of crime and irresponsible behaviour.

However the public's help is seen as vital in winning the battle, and parents are being asked to look at better supervision of their children.

"The problems at Congleton Station have got worse over the last two months, and there has been a tremendous amount of damage including broken windows and graffiti," said Insp Bicknell.

"There have been numerous complaints from members of the public who use the station about being abused by youngsters and feeling intimidated.

"One night last week 11 young people were playing football on the track, which is used by high speed trains.

"The things going on at the station are an accident waiting to happen, and my greatest fear is that someone is going to end up dead.

"There were problems at the station before the refurbishment which have become more serious, I suspect, because of the improvements.

"We are working with Railtrack and Great North Western, but this is an issue which should also be taken up by the local community.

"I would ask parents if they know where their children are, and if they consider a railway station an appropriate place for them to meet."

Two of the 11 children found playing on the line ran off when approached by police, and the parents of the others were sent letters to make them aware of what was going on and the dangers their children were exposing themselves to.

"We are directing resources to this, which could be better used elswhere, because we can't ignore it and offences are being committed," said Insp Bicknell.

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