A special constable was injured during a tussle with a drunk teenager on board a train.

The incident, which resulted in three arrests, caused eight hours of delays and cost the rail network more than £25,000.

On Thursday night, special constables from the British Transport Police were on patrol in the north of the county when they came across several teenagers waiting to board a train heading for Lancaster.

The three youths, a 19-year-old man and a boy and girl, both aged 17, were drunk and being unruly.

They were warned about their behaviour before they jumped onto a train, followed by the officers who then went to speak to them again.

As the train set off the youths pulled the passenger alarm several times, sprayed alcohol around the carriage, and began abusing passengers.

Back-up was requested and as the train approached Carnforth more officers, headed for the station.

When the train pulled in the youths all exited the toilet, where they had gone to hide, and tried to flee the train.

One of the specials went to arrest the girl, and he injured his leg in the struggle as she fought back.

The two men then ran onto the West Coast main line and once trains had been stopped, officers chased the men along the track.

One was arrested by an officer with the second disappearing into the darkness.

The two British Transport Police specials returned to Carnforth station, just in time to see the outstanding man jump onto a train and arrested him.

A BTP spokesperson said on Friday: "He was shouting that we had got the wrong person, he had only just arrived at the station to catch a train, and he’d never been in trouble with the police.

"As he was being put into the police van he shouted “get my solicitor” and named him and his firm.

 

"Our specials are unpaid volunteers.

"They did a superb job, arresting two of the three (the third was arrested by the Lancashire Police officer).

"All three in custody overnight, and released under investigation today.

"We still have further enquiries to complete."

In total, officers estimated that the incident caused 485 minutes of delay to train services, at a cost of £26,317.

The spokesperson added: "We are looking at a number of offences, including drunk and disorderly, railway obstruction and trespass."