COUNCILLORS fear vandalism could rise if plans to redeploy train station staff go ahead.

South Eastern Trains (SET) has informed Dartford Council it intends to cut back on ticket office staff at certain stations during quiet times.

And at other stations it wants to close ticket offices completely and replace them with machines.

The firm wants to free up employees so they can be used to work on trains and move between other stations where there is a greater demand.

Across the network, 100 full-time ticket office jobs are to go and 90 "mobile" jobs created where staff are not based at individual stations.

Under the plans, Stone Crossing's ticket office could close completely and Longfield, Swanscombe and Farningham Road stations could have reduced opening hours during the week.

Dartford station's opening hours will remain almost unchanged while Greenhithe's will actually increase because of demand from Bluewater commuters.

Dartford Council is concerned an irregular presence at stations could lead to vandalism, anti-social behaviour and increased risk to personal safety.

Swanscombe ward councillor Leslie Bobby said: "Swanscombe station is already prone to vandalism and the graffiti on the walls is disgusting.

"If you haven't got a staff presence, these mindless idiots can just do what they want."

Council leader Councillor Kenneth Leadbeater says SET could be shooting itself in the foot because without dedicated staff, problems at stations will not be addressed.

SET says although the plans have not been totally finalised, it is proposed they take effect in the autumn just months before a new company takes over the franchise.

The council plans to hold public meetings in the most affected areas of Sutton-at-Hone, Stone and Longfield but no dates have yet been set.