A MAJOR region-wide crackdown has been launched against the thieves who strike on trains and steal the property of other passengers.

Operation Impact is designed to deter thieves, and catch would-be offenders in the act through covert and overt policing operations.

And as part of the initiative British Transport Police have issued a “most wanted” gallery – comprising CCTV images of suspects caught on camera.

Suitcases, bags, mobile phones and laptops are among the most popular targets of thieves on board trains in North Yorkshire and the North-East.

Now there will be increased patrols targeting hotspots locations, with officers travelling on key routes throughout the area.

Police surgeries will also be held on trains and at stations to raise awareness of the issue and provide crime reduction advice to passengers.

The CCTV images show people officers want to speak to in connection with a number of thefts across North Yorkshire and the North-East.

Chief Inspector Glen Alderson said: “Officers investigating each of these cases have followed a number of lines of enquiry and circulated the images on police intelligence systems, and in some cases to the media, but so far without success.

“We’re now asking for help from members of the public. If you know any of these people and can tell us who they are, we want to hear from you.

“Our intelligence shows that thieves travel to commit crimes. So please look at these photos carefully, although the theft may not have taken place at your local station or on your local service, you may know the person who has committed it.”

He added: “We know that a large majority of items are stolen after they have been left unattended, so I would urge passengers to stay alert and keep their luggage close by and in view at all times if possible, and check on it regularly throughout your journey.

“We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and train operating companies to tackle theft. Please report any suspicious behaviour to a member of staff or police.”

Anyone with any information, or who recognises anyone pictured in the CCTV images, should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 405 40.

Suspect Gallery Details

1. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS01. A suitcase was stolen from a train at York railway station on Monday, 12 March 2012. Police believe the suspect boarded the train at Doncaster, travelled to York before alighting then re-boarding to steal the suitcase.

2. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS02. A passenger travelling on a train from Dundee on Tuesday, 27 March 2012, placed their suitcase in a luggage rack. When they arrived in York they discovered it had been stolen. The suitcase was later discovered at Middlesbrough railway station, its contents, a laptop, video recorder and other items, were missing.

3. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS03. On Monday, 30 April 2012, a bag was stolen from the luggage rack in the first class carriage of a train travelling between Newcastle and Manchester Piccadilly. Police believe the suspect sat in the carriage talking on her mobile phone before taking the victim’s bag. It is not know where she alighted.

4. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS04. On Thursday, 17 May 2012, a suitcase was stolen from a train at York station. The victim had boarded the train at Dundee, and due to the weight of the case, had placed it by the toilet doors in the vestibule area. Three people boarded the service and crowded around the case at York, one of them then stole the case.

5. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS05. On Tuesday, 29 May 2012, a bag was left on a seat outside the bar while the victim went inside. When they returned it had been stolen.

6. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS07. A suitcase was stolen from a train at York railway station on Saturday, 4 August 2012. The victim boarded the train at York, and placed their suitcase in the luggage rack. A short while into the journey they discovered it had been stolen.

7. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS08a. On Tuesday, 7 August 2012, a mobile phone was stolen after accidentally being left on a seat at the train station. A short while later the victim returned to check if it had been handed in at lost property to no avail. Police believe the two females pictured may have been travelling to Seaham.

8. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS08b. On Tuesday, 7 August 2012, a mobile phone was stolen after accidentally being left on a seat at the train station. A short while later the victim returned to check if it had been handed in at lost property to no avail. Police believe the two females pictured may have been travelling to Seaham.

9. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS09. A bag accidentally left in the overhead storage racks on a train travelling between York and Newcastle was stolen on Wednesday, 5 September. After everyone had left the train at Newcastle a man boarded the train and stole the bag.

10. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS10. A bag was stolen from a train travelling between Edinburgh and Grantham on Sunday, 21 October 2012. A man was seen acting suspiciously hanging around in between carriages and went to the toilet when rail staff approached him. He is then believed to have taken a passengers suitcase out of the luggage rack before leaving the train in Newcastle.

11. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS11. A bag was stolen from a train travelling from Newcastle to London Kings Cross on Friday, 30 November 2012. The bag was placed in the luggage rack at Newcastle and was discovered missing in London. CCTV revealed the bag was stolen at York.

12. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS12. A man stole a suitcase from the luggage rack on-board a train travelling between Leeds and Northallerton on Sunday, 16 December 2012. The man alighted at Northallerton.

13. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS13a. A suitcase was stolen from a train travelling between Edinburgh and Newcastle on Friday, 11 January 2013. Three people boarded the train at Edinburgh with the victim. One of the members of the group stole the bag before they all alighted at Newcastle

14. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS13b. A suitcase was stolen from a train travelling between Edinburgh and Newcastle on Friday, 11 January 2013. Three people boarded the train at Edinburgh with the victim. One of the members of the group stole the bag before they all alighted at Newcastle

15. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS14a. On Sunday 17 February 2013 a man and women were hanging around inside the bar without buying a drink. While the man chatted to a member of the public, the women crouched down and stole the victim’s bag from behind their seat.

16. If you know who this person is, please call 0800 40 50 40 and quote reference NS14b. On Sunday 17 February 2013 a man and women were hanging around inside the bar without buying a drink. While the man chatted to a member of the public, the women crouched down and stole the victim’s bag from behind their seat.