ALMOST 500 train passengers were scanned for knives and drugs as Lancashire Constabulary and British Transport Police officers carried out checks on commuters at Blackburn, Accrington and Darwen train stations.

Officers working with drug dogs carried out 43 searches and as a result, 14 offences were detected with 12 cannabis warnings given, 1 fixed penalty and 1 reprimand.

40 officers from both forces, plus G4S staff and the LCC Safer Travel Unit, were drafted in to help with the operation.

G4S, who administer the train fares on the network, identified £68.90 of unpaid tickets during a two-hour period.

Inspector Mike Wedderburn, of British Transport Police, said: “This is just one way in which we can show that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”