BRITISH Transport Police has insisted rail passengers are "very safe", despite official figures showing Ashford station has the second-highest crime rate of all the county's railway stations.

Last year, there were a combined total of 162 crimes reported at Ashford and Ashford International, which operate out of the same location.

These included a robbery, a firearms offence, two incidents involving weapons, an assault, an arson offence and several incidents of harassment, one of which was racially motivated.

There were also numerous incidents of theft, burglary and antisocial behaviour.

Only Dartford station recorded a higher number of offences, with 221 incidents.

With an annual footfall of 1.5 million passengers, Ashford is one of the busiest stations in Kent – and police say that this would lead to more crime being reported than at quieter stations.

Inspector Ed Walden said: "These figures show Ashford railway station is very safe and that the chances of becoming a victim of crime are very low. However, we are not complacent.

"Passengers and rail staff rightly expect a safe and secure rail network and we will continue working hard to carry on providing a safer travelling environment for all.

"Our officers regularly conduct high-visibility patrols at Ashford station and we are also focusing our efforts on putting more officers out on patrol late at night when we know people feel more anxious."

Nevertheless, figures provided by watchdog Passenger Focus show that people who use rail operator Southeastern's services have a greater fear of crime than the national average.

The majority of the firm's stations are in Kent and south east London.

In a survey, 62 per cent of respondents said they felt safe at Southeastern's stations and 68 per cent felt safe on the company's trains.

That compares with national figures of 66 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

Passenger Focus director David Sidebottom said: "Our research has found that only two thirds of passengers in Kent are happy about their personal security at stations and on trains.

"Kent passengers also told us that more visible police and staff would help them feel safer."

Southeastern defended its record, saying crime had fallen by 40 per cent since it took over the network in 2006.

Spokesman Jon Hay Campbell said the company was continuing to invest in CCTV, lighting, help points and enforcement officers.

British Transport Police has urged people who witness crime to report it by calling 0800 405040.

In an emergency people should dial 999.