Anger over Telford 'gipsies and pickpockets' comment by train guard
Astonished train travellers were shocked by an announcement made as a train pulled into Telford – warning people to beware of pickpockets and gipsies.
London Midland today said it was launching an investigation into the comment, which was made on a train packed full of Wolves and Shrewsbury Town football fans.
As the train prepared to stop at Telford Central Station, the announcer told passengers: "Now approaching Telford Central – beware of gipsies and pickpockets."
The announcement was met by loud cheers from Shrewsbury fans on board the train.
But it offended people preparing to disembark the train at their home town station.
One Wolves fan, who lives in Telford but wished to remain anonymous, was travelling back home from the derby match at Molineux.
He said: "I couldn't believe it. I was utterly flabbergasted.
"Tensions among fans were already high after the match and I don't think that helped the situation at all.
"Telford is actually a really nice place to live. It certainly isn't up to a train announcer to make insulting comments about it."
The Gipsy Council today called for the matter to be taken up with the police.
Bill Kerswell, a spokesman for the council, said: "This is unlawful, it is a racist comment. It is the same as using any offensive word relating to homosexuals or people of colour.
"I would think it is a police matter and I hope they take it up and look into it."
London Midland today said it was not aware of the incident but would be looking into it.
Francis Thomas, head of communications for the train company, thanked passengers for drawing it to the firm's attention.
He said: "We do not tolerate any sort of comment of that kind made by anyone on our trains and will be looking into it immediately."
