Teenager robbed after getting off c2c train at Westcliff station

A teenager was robbed shortly after stepping off a c2c train at Westcliff railway station on Monday evening.

The British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed officers were called to the station at around 7.10pm on 29 September, after the youth had his belongings taken. Witnesses say three teenage boys were involved in stealing the victim’s phone before running from the Hamlet Court Road side of the station.

Southend resident Vanessa Beaumont said her daughter bravely tried to chase the suspects:
“My daughter chased them and has a very good description of them. There will be footage of them on CCTV. I know it’s a long shot but I’m pretty sure they are local lads, about 16 to 18. My heart goes out to your son and hope he is okay.”

She added:
“It happened on the Hamlet Court Road side of the station. All involved had exited from the station gates. There were no staff members around and I think they saw an opportunity to rob him.”

An investigation has now been launched, with BTP officers urging anyone who saw the incident, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to get in touch immediately.

A spokesperson for BTP said:
“Officers were called to Westcliff railway station at around 7.10pm on 29 September following reports of a teenager being robbed of their belongings on board a train. Enquiries into this incident are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 556 of 29 September.”

The incident has sparked concerns over safety at Westcliff station, which is used daily by hundreds of commuters and schoolchildren.

c2c, which runs the line between Southend and London, says it uses a “specialist agency” to provide security staff at stations. According to the operator, this agency carries out “high-visibility patrols at stations to deter and detect crime and anti-social behaviour, and help people who need assistance or may be vulnerable.”

The publicly-owned train company says:
“Our fleet of trains is fitted with on-board CCTV systems and may be patrolled by our HALO security team which is accredited by the British Transport Police under the Railway Security Accreditation Scheme.”