In an effort to help combat anti-social behaviour, and following the success of playing classical music at other stations in Northern's network, the tactic is to be repeated at four more stations in the North East – Nunthorpe, Seaton Carew, Stockton, and Seaham, and at Shipley in West Yorkshire.
To have the best impact on behaviour, classical music will only be played at certain times of the day, with the times varying between stations.
During the past twelve months, a similar scheme has been conducted at nine stations across the North of England, at Billingham, Shildon, Heighington, North Road, Orrell, Keighley, Hyde North, Ilkley, and Newton Aycliffe.
The effect was that during the trial there was a significant reduction in the number of people loitering and instances of graffiti and vandalism-related incidents.
Earlier this year the classical music trial was extended to 23 more stations, at 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.
If anyone witnesses anti-social behaviour on the rail network they can report it by contacting British Transport Police via text message on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
Northern is also reminding customers that its new summer timetable took effect on Sunday, 21st May. Customers used to making regular journeys at the same train times should check before they travel. Further information is available at www.northernrailway.co.uk/timetablechange.
Kerry Peters, regional director at Northern, said: “We are pleased this scheme is making such a difference to our customers across the network.
“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.”
I’ve always been intrigued as to why specifically classic music has a negative correlation with rates of anti-social behaviour.
Maybe David, it could be that some of the people who commit anti-social behaviour don’t like listening to classical music and leave quickly.
I don’t know, either – but quite a number of ‘open till late’ convenience stores have adopted the same tactic, and they all report finding it very effective.