POLICE have been branded bonkers' for calling in officers from 15 miles away to deal with crime at a train station which has its own cop shop.' The situation at Blackburn railway station was highlighted after a rise in crime in and around a subway leading to the new Vue cinema complex.

Police rules dictate that if a crime is being committed on railway property, it becomes the responsibility of the Preston-based British Transport Police, unless it is an emergency.

Rail workers today said they were growing "increasingly frustrated" with the situation as by the time British Transport Police officers travel from 15 miles away, the youths causing the trouble have run off.

Police admitted the situation was confusing and said they were working to resolve it.

But Ribble Valley MP called for an urgent review of the system, which he branded "bonkers."

He said: "It's like someone having an accident outside Blackburn Royal Infirmary and being sent to Royal Preston Hospital for an operation."

Rail worker, Craig Richardson, from Roe Lee, said the problems were particularly bad during weekends and involved youths drinking on the station, vandalising station property, playing on the platforms and tracks and intimidating other rail users.

He said: "There have been around nine or ten incidents now where police assistance has been needed.

"We were advised to phone the British Transport Police but they are based in Preston and by the time they get here the youths who have been causing a nuisance have run off.

"If it is just the transport police who can deal with these incidents then we should have british transport officers located permanently at the train station office for when these situations arise."

Alan Benson, secretary, of East Lancashire (Support the) Line Association (STELLA), worked at Blackburn railway station until 12 years ago. He said: "It is the situation that is ridiculous, it's just bureaucray going mad isn't it? If the police are there surely they could just come out even if it means a bill for the transport police."

But Brian Haworth, vice chair of Ribble Valley Rail, who helped to campaign for the re-opening of the line between Blackburn and Clitheroe, said in his experience the Transport Police attended incidents quickly when necessary.

A police spokesperson said: "This situation does become quite confusing as British Transport Police would normally deal with incidents on railway property but we, as the local police, receive the complaints.

"In emergencies we would always send an officer straight away but we are in the position where we have to prioritise the incidents that require an officer deployment which sometimes mean that there can be a delay. We pass on these calls to BTP for their attention and action.

"We are currently working with BTP to address these problems and will be discussing how best to tackle these nuisances. We would ask people to continue to report these incidents then we can establish an accurate picture of what is happening to enable us to target our resources effectively."

The spokesman added that the BTP Control Room number was 0161 228 5685 and that incidents should be reported to that number in the first instance.

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police added that they were aware that there was a problem in Blackburn and they would alert their mobile patrols who cover the whole of the North West.