RACIAL assaults, drug abuse and violent attacks are just some of the problems that plague our train stations, according to police figures.

The statistics show that British Transport Police (BTP) made 125 arrests at 21 train stations across the borough in the past financial year.

The most widespread offences included criminal damage, graffiti and theft from vending machines.

There were 15 arrests for alleged harassment, while three people were detained at Bromley South and another at Elmstead Woods after racially aggravated incidents.

Other serious incidents included a 25-year-old arrested at Elmers End station for heroin possession.

An 18-year-old was arrested by transport police in Anerley station on suspicion of carrying a knife.

There were just 23 arrests at stations in the Bromley borough during the same period in 2002/03.

BTP's Chief Inspector James Little admits there is always going to be crime at railway stations but the situation is improving.

He said: "Overall, our crime figures in south London were down by 15 percent.

"Robbery was down by 53 per cent so things are certainly improving.

"The volume of crime in Bromley borough is actually quite low when you look at other areas."

He added: "Racial crime has certainly become more widespread now and knife crime is also a relatively new problem."

An alleged sexual assault at St Mary Cray station led to one arrest, while two people were taken into custody at Bickley station after allegedly swiping valuable cabling.

There were 84 arrests involving young people aged 25 and under - 67 per cent of the total.

Mr Little said: "We acknowledge that a lot of young people are involved in crime on our railways and we go into schools to try and educate these children about rail safety and crime.

"The number of arrests illustrate the amount of work our officers are doing to further cut crime."

Bromley South station was the scene of the most arrests, 22 in total, followed by Orpington, 19, and Bickley with 14 arrests.