SE Qld’s most dangerous train stations revealed

Our train stations have long been magnets for crime. But there is one southeast Qld station where offences are vastly more common than at others. SEE THE LIST

If you’re a train commuter and want to avoid being robbed, assaulted or pestered by drunks and druggies, don’t get on or off at Fortitude Valley.

Queensland Police crime data show the Valley station stands head and shoulders above all others in southeast Queensland for crimes.

The statistics include areas immediately around train stations, as well as on Queensland Rail property itself.

In the 12 months to April 4, the online QPS crime map revealed a staggering 1200 offences were reported at the Valley stop. Many more would likely have not been reported.

They included 569 good order offences — drunks and druggies screaming abuse, urinating in public, exposing themselves, failing to move on, or otherwise creating a nuisance.

There were also 121 drug offences, hardly surprising considering the Valley’s reputation as Brisbane’s night-life hub.

A total of 176 thefts were reported and 131 people assaulted, most of them by intoxicated or drugged-up offenders.

The only other southeast Queensland station to come close was Roma St in the CBD — ironically a short walk from police headquarters.

Almost all of its 741 crimes were good order (702) offences, also a reflection of the number of nearby clubs and pubs.

Police investigate a suspicious item after a bomb threat at Indooroopilly station.

South Bank station is a good place to keep your wallet and valuables close.

Just over half of its 327 reported crimes were thefts (163), with a fair smattering of good order offences (69) — no doubt due to a plethora of licensed venues and the proximity of South Bank Parklands.

Ipswich (Bell St) was the only suburban station to make the top five, at 138 offences, followed by Central station in the CBD (131).

Queensland Rail senior manager of security, Drew Brock, said there were only about three assaults per million passenger journeys.

QR worked closely with police, including the 84-person Railway Squad, to deter, detect, identify and prosecute offenders.

“The Railway Squad teams undertake regular patrols based on intelligence and coordinate their responses out of eight purpose-built outposts at Robina, Beenleigh, Roma Street, Manly, Petrie, Ipswich, Redbank and Northgate stations, in addition to offices at Fortitude Valley and Central stations,’’ Mr Brock said.

Ipswich train station is frequently targeted by graffiti vandals.

“(QR) also opened two new police hubs late last year at Helensvale and Kippa-Ring stations, where the Railway Squad and local police can work from.

“Officers are supported by QR’s 24-hour security monitoring team based at the Rail Management Centre, who can tap into more than 12,000 CCTV cameras across the network, as well as ... our mobile security dog teams, “Guardian Train” services each night and TransLink senior network officers.’’

There were more than 700 joint operations targeting crime and anti-social behaviour last financial year.

“Last month alone, we undertook more than 87 dedicated operations which included multiple deployments to Beenleigh, Loganlea, Helensvale, Robina, Caboolture, Ipswich, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills stations,’’ Mr Brock said.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow called on TransLink to record crime statistics in the interests of boosting confidence in public transport.

“I think it’s reasonable that TransLink reports the number of offences against public order and safety on trains, buses and ferries,’' he said.

Rail back on Track's Robert Dow.

But he said the downturn in passenger numbers since Covid, and increased staffing due to issues with New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains, appeared to have helped improve public safety.

“Up to about six weeks ago (the latest data) passenger numbers were down to 60-70 per cent of normal levels,’’ Mr Dow said.

“Most stations now have staff all the time to support the NGR trains — they need to help disabled passengers on and off at assisted boarding points but are also a deterrent to criminals.

“The rail squad and other police have also targeted some of the problem stations.

“The Gold Coast line, particularly Helensvale and Robina stations, used to have a bad reputation for a long time.

“They have stepped up policing, which tends to dissuade petty criminals.’’

Police check tickets at Caboolture Station during a crackdown on fare evasion.

Mr Dow said improvements in CCTV had also been a deterrent.

He recommended commuters not turn up at a station until just before their train was due to leave.

“Look at the timetable. Make sure you’re there five minutes before, don’t wait around for 30 minutes at night,’’ he said.

While most offences at train stations are minor, there have been a number of violent incidents that have made headlines in recent years.

A deodorant can used by a chromer at Nudgee train station. Picture AAP/David Clark

In November, 2019, when William Benjamin Charles Blair went berserk with a screw driver after a three-day ice binge, smashing a train window and baling up a female station attendant in a room, a court heard.

Blair, who pleaded guilty to charges including assault, deprivation of liberty and wilful damage, was jailed for 12 months in June, 2020, with parole eligibility in November that year.

In another bizarre and potentially dangerous incident, Bryce William Borda, 34, pleaded guilty to a string of charges including going armed so as to cause fear and wilful damage after waving an unsheathed sword.

Fortitude Valley train station is by far the most dangerous in southeast Queensland.

Passengers had to take shelter during the afternoon rampage in August, 2019, Pine River Court heard.

“The consequence of you going to a railway station, waving a sword around in the air and raving incoherently means it is a very serious offence because you terrified everybody present,’’ Magistrate Trevor Morgan told him.

Borda, who committed the offences while on parole, was sentenced to 12 months’ jail.

Even train stations in relatively low-crime suburbs such as Indooroopilly are not immune.

Nearby Indooroopilly Shopping Centre makes it a magnet for “eshays’’, young troublemakers who favour distinctive sportswear and bumbags.

The shopping centre has had to ban many of the eshays from entering, but some have taken to robbing pedestrians on Station Rd.

In one incident, a young girl was ordered to strip to her underwear. Her teen assailants then made off with her designer shoes and clothing.