METAL thefts, assaults and criminal damage were among the crimes reported by commuters and tourists using the district's railway stations last year.

A total of 272 offences were reported at stations across east Kent between December 22, 2010 and December 21, 2011, with Faversham topping the crime league with 66 incidents.

Canterbury West station was second with 57, while Whitstable had 37, Herne Bay 36 and Canterbury East 31.

In contrast, village station Bekesbourne only had one incident, of trespass, and Adisham had two – luggage theft and assault. Chartham also recorded only one incident, a public order offence.

One sexual assault was reported, at Canterbury East station, where someone was also reported for littering, and five people for being drunk and disorderly.

The city's bomb hoax in August, when a suspicious package was planted near the railway line, is also included in the list.

Other incidents reported across the network include fare dodgers, men urinating in public and people carrying knives or other bladed weapons.

The figures were revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request, but rail operator Southeastern defended its record.

Spokesman Jon Hay Campbell said crime had fallen by 40 per cent since it took over the network in 2006.

He said: "There has been a significant drop in crime across the network thanks in part to our close working relationship with the British Transport Police.

"However, we are not complacent and realise that there is more we can do. We will continue to invest in CCTV, enforcement officers, lighting at stations and help points so that passengers feel they are in a safe environment."

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

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."

British Transport Police has urged people who witness crime to report it by calling 0800 405040. In an emergency people should dial 999.