Take action over drinking

I noticed a group of rowdy and noisy males.

Two were drinking alcohol from cans. One spilled some on the ground.

There were about three police officers around the group, trying to keep order.

I went to talk to two other officers by the exit, voicing my concerns that alcohol should not be consumed around the platform; nor inside the train carriage, as I had witnessed previously on a Hartlepool to Newcastle train journey.

Passenger safety was potentially at risk.

Outside of the station, I observed a male being arrested and put in the back of a police van near the taxi rank.

There were more police officers nearby.

For tactical purposes, I would have personally advised more along the train station platform.

I further voiced my concerns to a nearby constable.

My recommendations:

That local police and Hartlepool Borough Council’s Health & Safety Management team, plus public feedback, should hold a meeting as soon as possible to establish evidence/CCTV, and discuss (and then act upon) counter measures against alcohol abuse in public places, including on public transport and train platforms.

There should be more designated area/public notice awareness, and more on the spot fines.

There should be alcohol awareness notices on and inside public buildings and areas and in newspapers, and alcohol abuse counsel centres and surgeries.

Savvas Kyriakou,

Milton Road,

Hartlepool.