Stewart Hall, an employee at Brinnington railway station, was praised nationally in a feature on the BBC's 'File on 4' programme for reducing anti-social behaviour.  

Stewart was credited with setting up a swap-shop at the station, where people could donate and take anything from food, clothes, books, and other household items.  

The Radio 4 evening show looked at how Brinnington station had been 'plagued' by 'non-stop trouble'. Stewart himself said that travel safe officers would not come to the station.  

He also explained how groups of 9-18 year olds would smash things, fight, throw objects, and take things from trains. In one instance, a driver was even assaulted. 

This, he says, was "just a regular thing that happened on the station." 

However, with the swap-shop in place, there has since been a reduction in levels of anti-social behaviour. 

People can donate anything from books to furniture at the Brinnington station swap-shop (Image - Northern)

It comes as the government recently announced a plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour earlier this year. This plan includes 'hotspot policing', targeting the worst-affected areas.  

Only recently, Greater Manchester Police announced plans to increase police presence and further improve community safety. 

More than 1,000 members of the local community are part of a designated Facebook group, and there are five volunteers now helping to co-ordinate donations.

The swap-shop has even helped to fully furnish some peoples houses as they move into the area. 

Commenting on the documentary, Stewart said: "When me and Darin [Stewart's colleague] started all this, I never thought I'd end up on Radio 4. For us, the swap-shop was about providing practical help to people living close to the station that were most in need.

"As word spread throughout the community about what we were doing at the station, we saw a steady reduction in anti-social behaviour, which makes the station itself a more valued resource for the community who need to use the railway to get about."

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: "Stewart and Darin are perfect examples of the positive impact each and every one of us can have on our community if we put our mind to it. Their actions – and those of other colleagues at the station and volunteers – are to be commended."

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