Classics stop train vandals

The music is pumped out through a tannoy in the station

An unstaffed train station targeted by vandals is pumping out classical music over its loudspeakers to prevent gangs of youths hanging around causing damage.

Bosses at Hengoed station near Ystrad Mynach in the south Wales valleys started playing symphonies over the tannoys after a series of vandalism.

And so far the music is said to have been successful in driving away bored youngsters who used to congregate at the two-platformed station.

The musical deterrent, is also being used at a train station in Skewen, near Neath.

The idea came from general manager of Valleys Lines, Tom Clift, who had heard about a similar scheme operating on the Metro rail system on Tyneside in the north east of England.

So he decided to install the idea at the station and classical music including the sounds of Bach, Chopin and Borodin is programmed to come on at night.

Classic music puts youngsters off from hanging around the station

"Out of the 67 stations we look after, Hengoed used to be in the top three for vandalism," said Mr Clift.

"But since we introduced the music, the amount of vandalism incidents have dropped like a stone.

"The music goes on from about five o'clock until about nine o'clock.

"And we will keep the system in place as long as we think it needs to be," he added.

Classical music is known for its calming and soothing effect, and apparently works because the music that fills the air around the stations is not to the taste of would-be vandals.

The scheme caught the attention of Transport Minister Kim Howells who told the Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee that the radio had the effect of driving young people away from the station shelter in the evening....although he was unable to witness it himself.

"I was told when I went there that the batteries had run out, but they were going to replace them," Dr Howells said.