Reports of attacks at mainline train stations in Sussex have soared in the past five years, official figures have revealed.

British Transport Police (BTP) statistics show there were 47 assaults in total at Brighton, Chichester, Crawley and St Leonards stations in the past year compared with 29 five years ago - a rise of 38 per cent.

Passenger groups are demanding tougher safeguards to make travellers feel safer after the figures revealed Brighton and Crawley stations both had 13 assaults in the past year, with 11 at Chichester and ten at St Leonards.

The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question by the Conservatives.

Shadow Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "One of key promises the Government made in its ten-year plan was to ensure people using public transport would see their journeys becoming safer. These figures show that, in many parts of the country, passengers are far more likely to get mugged than they were five years ago. It really is time the Government got to grips with the law and order problem on our public transport system."

BTP Brighton Inspector Gary Ancell said: "The detection rate for assaults on passengers is very good and we now have excellent CCTV coverage at our stations. The perception of public safety has improved a lot in recent years and I think people now feel safe on trains and at stations."

In July a 46-year-old man was viciously mugged outside Crawley station by a thug who demanded £20. In September, a 37-year-old man was attacked while talking on his mobile phone at Brighton station.

Last month, a 16-year-old girl was pushed on to the tracks at Portslade station and was left badly shaken with minor injuries.

With the exception of Liverpool Lime Street, the amount of violence had either increased or stayed level at all the 61 stations covered by the BTP figures.

By far the most dangerous is Leeds Central where there were 159 attacks, followed by the main London stations - including Victoria and Waterloo.

Jane Cobell, of rail users group Passenger Focus, said: "Passenger safety must be the top priority on our railways.

"We welcome initiatives to improve safety such as help points and CCTV but what passengers really want to see is more staff, both on trains and at stations. Crime statistics at train stations may reflect those in wider society but rail companies must do all they can to ensure people using public transport are safe."

A Southern Railways spokesman said, despite the rise in assaults, overall crime was decreasing at stations in Sussex. He added: "There are many reasons why this is happening, including increased security, heightened awareness of passengers following the London terrorist attacks, and more uniformed police patrols.

"The latest national passengers' survey indicated 86 per cent of people using Southern stations were very satisfied with, or did not have a view on personal security at our stations. This goes to show the measures we have taken are working.

"There will always be crime in public places, as long as there are people who want to break the law. Although we cannot eradicate this completely, we can and are taking steps to minimise the risk of it taking place."