A MAJOR new funding package has been set up to fight crime on the railway lines.

Railtrack has allocated £6.2m to its six regions to spend on local initiatives and campaigns targeting crime hotspots.

The announcement comes just weeks after the industry agreed to take a more aggressive stance against the criminals who attack the rail network.

A key element of the funding package will harness additional resources from the British Transport Police to ensure a more co-ordinated rapid response approach to crime, giving the potential for more offenders to be sentenced by the courts.

News of the package - agreed in principle by Railtrack earlier in July - coincides with the release of the latest British Transport Police annual report.

It showed that cases of reported route crime have increased because of the improved reporting mechanisms now used by the force.

New initiatives will include funding of extra police officers working in tandem with 'front line' railway staff in crime hotspots during key periods; provision of dedicated rapid-response motor-cycles for British Transport Police officers in key crime areas; use of 'eye-in-the-sky' helicopters with BTP officers supporting operations on the ground; and school visits, 'junior citizen' and 'crucial crew' community schemes fronted by police officers supported by railway 'front line' operational staff.

Railtrack's national route crime co-ordinator Sue Nelson said: "Crime on the railway is of huge concern to us all, and partnership within the industry and communities outside is the key to tackling this major problem."