Is Wakefield Kirkgate really unsafe?

[northwichcat]

BTP suggest not:
http://crimemaps.btp.police.uk/data/?q=Kirkgate, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1, UK#station

(at least compared to other stations.)

Ardwick (Manchester) is the highest crime rate at a station I've found.

I would suggest that BTP have got the passenger figures have got muddled up if they are compared to LENNON data. For some stations it seems to be the number of people who use the station i.e. an annual season ticket holder counting as 1 and for others it seems to be the number of journeys made to and from that station i.e. an annual season ticket holder would count as something like 2400.

 

[34D]

Never mind unsafe in the criminal sense, what about unsafe in the sense of poor platform surfaces and awnings with holes (what Prince Charles thought I have no idea).

 

[142094]

The only time I've felt unsafe there was when I first used it, quite late at night and didn't know which platform to go to for the Barnsley train after I'd changed from another service. Since then, I've used it without incident many times.

People's perception of safety can vary wildly - there are certain areas in the NE that I happily walk around yet other people think I'm mad.

 

[Crossover]

To be honest, I wouldn't say it is that unsafe as such - I visted the other week and had to use the subway (which I found to be better than some others I have used elsewhere) but didn't feel massively unsafe. That said, stepping out of the station to see if the FCB was running reveals a rather run down area and quickly headed back into the station after realising the buses weren't running (there were a few people lurking outside)

Not somewhere I'd want to be stuck on an evening but I think the worst thing about the place is the run down nature of it

 

[WestCoast]

Unlike Ardwick, people actually have to use Wakefield Kirkgate....

Kirkgate is generally unpleasant because it's in a decrepit state, although there has been a few serious crimes reported to have taken place, that could be said of other stations on the network. Still a few unsavoury characters hanging around the station, which might give an unfavourable impression.

 

[yorksrob]

Most of the time I wouldn't say it feels that unsafe. Late at night if there's noone else there I do feel a bit wary - particularly baring in mind some of the serious crimes that have taken place. I think under these circumstances, the approach is less welcoming and it's a relief to get on the platform. Most of the time though there are other people around, particularly if there's a train about to leave and the stations well lit enough.

 

[tbtc]

There's "crime" and there's "fear of crime". The media and some politicians are very good at whipping up fear of crime, even when actual crime is going down.

 

[yorksrob]

It has to be said, there have been a couple of noteable serious crimes at Kirkgate in the recent past though.

 

[shedman]

I live close to Kirkgate and have used it at all times day and night and personally I think it is fine. The appearance makes you think the worst but that is all. The area around it isn't as bad as people think either. You may get the odd collection of youths but like anywhere avoid eye contact and it's fine. Just think of it as anywhere else, trouble finds trouble. The incident of rape a few years back from what I remember was an eastern European who was in the country illegally and facing deportation and thought being locked up over here than being sent home was a better option, other than that I can't recall any other incidents. During the day it's a well used station with very little in the way of 'undesirables'. Any questions though, PM me

 

[wensley]

I've passed through many time and also boarded trains and killed time in the surrounding area, generally it isn't too bad, the majority of passengers would smile and have a chat, although there were a select few who would have done better to be in a zoo than on the loose in a public place The state of the buildings is shocking, but with some investment it could be a really attractive station.

I can't say I know a lot about Wakefield but the surrounding area is not exceptionally bad, it isn't the most pleasant of environments but I didn't feel particularly unsafe walking around. As 142094 says - opinions vary wildly, I've been to a few dodgy placed (Willesden etc) and not been bothered whilst some of the lasses I know won't hear of the idea of Newcastle for a a night out cos they think they're "going to get stabbed". Each to their own