Railtrack, coupled with its major contractor Jarvis and the West Yorkshire Police, are taking to the skies in the battle against railway crime.

The "eye in the sky" helicopter will target known trespass and vandalism black-spots during the summer holidays.

Railtrack says that the helicopter could be in use around the Airedale line, where vandalism includes objects placed on the line, stones and bricks thrown at trains and fencing broken by trespassers.

On board on one of the flights will be two MPs, Christopher Leslie and Bill O'Brien, who will be able to get a bird's eye view of the problems that the railway industry faces with railway crime.

The helicopter will patrol the skies in South and West Yorkshire, and will have immediate response units on the ground in a co-ordinated operation to catch vandals and trespassers red-handed.

Railtrack staff will also be patrolling trouble spots to support the helicopter campaign, code-named Operation Scarecrow.

Thermal image cameras will record the operation from the helicopter to deliver vital evidence which could ultimately result in prosecutions.

This operation is one of a range of measures which Railtrack has initiated to tackle the problem, including presenting live drama to over 120,000 children, providing partnership packs for schools and leaflet drops in the residential areas close to trespass black spots.

Nicholas Pollard, director of Railtrack London North Eastern, says: "As well as taking these proactive measures, we are asking local communities to cold-shoulder those who commit railway crime, in the same way that society condemns those who drink and drive.

"Not only do these criminals risk their own lives, they endanger others who may be innocently caught in the aftermath."

Mr Pollard adds: "In addition, adults who break down fencing to take a shortcut across the railways set an appalling example to children, who think it's acceptable to follow suit then end up getting killed."