Criminals who target passengers and property at the district's train stations are being targeted with a police crackdown on rail crime.

British Transport Police has launched Operation Collide to try to stamp out crime and the fear of crime on the Airedale line, which runs between Bradford, Skipton and Leeds.

A team of four officers, led by Sergeant David Boldison, have set up a permanent base at Salts Mill in Saltaire, which is also used by the village's community police officer.

The operation, being run in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, aims to cut car crime, robberies and anti-social behaviour at stations, and stamp out trespassing and vandalism on other parts of the line.

The group, which includes police dog Simba, will carry out regular high-visibility patrols of Bingley, Crossflatts, Frizinghall, Keighley, Saltaire, Shipley, Steeton and Silsden stations.

They will also be contacted by station staff and respond to crimes at any of the stations.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Field, of British Transport Police North East, said the operation followed an increase in rail crimes on the line.

"For some time now we have been conducting research and analysis of the problems being experienced," he said. "We have carried out customer surveys of people using and working on the Airedale line and we have contacted and consulted previous victims of crime."

Det Chief Insp Field said offenders who had committed crimes on the line had also been interviewed to establish why certain victims and property had been targeted.

He said that by dedicating the team to the stations it was hoped the line would become "... a safer environment that is unattractive to criminals.''

Det Chief Insp Field said he hoped the visible force would send a strong message to the criminal fraternity not to risk getting caught committing railway crime.

In the operation's early stages, three officers from the British Transport Police's North East division will help the permanent officers, he added. Additional 'undercover' officers are also being deployed in the railway stations and car parks and CCTV camera footage will be examined.

David Price, a member of the Wharfedale Rail Users' Group, today welcomed the scheme.

"I have seen a certain amount of stupidity with people trespassing on the line," said Mr Price, who travels daily from Frizinghall station. "I very much support this initiative and also support the work of the British Transport Police."

The team's office is provided by Salts Mill Estates. It has been adapted into a police contact point by Pace Micro Technology, which is based in the mill.

Tim Calow, chairman of the Aire Valley Rail Users' Group, said: "We welcome any measures to reduce vandalism."