Passengers are flocking back to the trains after railway crimebusters linked up with police to tackle violence and anti-social behaviour.

Crime on the railways has plummeted by a quarter in the last 12 months across the North-East region, which includes West and North Yorkshire.

Offences of violence are down by 14 per cent, robberies have fallen by 18 per cent and there has been a 35 per cent drop in public order offences, including anti-social behaviour.

The reduction in crime on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines is measured at 28 per cent.

As a result of the tough measures, taken jointly by British Transport Police and Northern Rail, there has been an increase in passengers of 13 per cent on some routes.

Northern Rail’s head of crime management Martyn Guiver said assaults on staff were now prosecuted through the courts, whereas in the past offenders might have been given a caution.

The tough policy was highlighted last week when Ansar Hussain was jailed for three and a half years for attacking a conductor at Saltaire station.

BTP officers are now working with Northern Rail response teams who travel on trains and swoop at stations with a vehicle fitted with CCTV cameras. Mr Guiver said the rail response teams were a physical deterrent for low-level disorder.

He said: “The Airedale and Wharfe-dale lines are among the prime routes where there has been a significant reduction in crime, everything from assaults on staff to verbal abuse, loitering on stations, under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour.

“Stations have become better places to be waiting on.

“People feel more comfortable and are reassured when they see BTP officers, the response teams, or both together.”

Inspector Dave Parker, of BTP, said: “The old days have gone when police sorted out all disorder. We now work in partnership with Northern Rail to tackle the issues that affect staff and passengers on a day to day basis.”

Mr Guiver said the response teams travelled on trains, helping the conductors to collect fares.

This week saw the start of a fresh wave of operations, including action on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines.

Mr Guiver said: “Crime is low on the railways and it is decreasing rapidly.

“Passenger numbers are increasing as violence and damage comes down. Passengers are feeling comfortable and confident to travel on the trains.”

e-mail: steve.wright@telegraphandargus.co.uk