PASSENGERS and staff reported almost 160 crimes at Thanet's railway stations last year.

Dozens of serious assaults, thefts and racial abuses were reported at the isle's six Southeastern railway stations between Wednesday, December 22, 2010 and Thursday, December 22, last year.

The Southeastern figures were exposed by a Thanet Times Freedom of Information Act request. Chris Hill, of the Alliance of Kent Commuters, said: "Stations can be very intimidating places, especially late at night."

Ramsgate train station had the worst record with 65 crimes in 2011, Margate had 43 reports, Broadstairs had 20, Westgate had 12, Minster had 11, and Birchington had seven. Staff were also on the receiving end of attacks.

Last July, passengers were shocked when a 19-year-old man was stabbed with a screwdriver at Westgate railway station.

A spokesman from independent rail consumer watchdog Passenger Focus said fear among Kent commuters was higher than average. 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.

But Southeastern says crime has fallen by 40 per cent since it took over the franchise in 2006.

A Southeastern spokesman 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 there is more we can do and will continue to invest in CCTV, enforcement officers, lighting at stations and help points."