POLICE have stepped up patrols at Hapton station in a crackdown on rampaging yobs frightening elderly passengers.

The move follows residents complaining to councillors about anti-social behaviour by juveniles at the train station.

For the past few months, the youths have been harassing passengers, playing on the tracks, and boarding and running through waiting trains at the station.

Now, after councillors contacted police about the problems, British Transport Police have increased patrols.

Sergeant Steve Murtagh, of the British Transport Police, said people convicted of trespassing on the railway faced a £1,000 fine, and youngsters found loitering around the station would be forced to join the force's Operation Guardian.

Under the scheme youngsters and their parents have to meet police and sign a good behaviour agreement.

He said: "We are aware there are problems at Hapton station with juvenile nuisance and youths hanging around.

"We are getting patrols to pay extra visits to the station, which will include plain clothes officers.

"Trespassing on the tracks is not only very dangerous, but it against the law too."

In June, Network Rail revealed that each year the lives of thousands of passengers on East Lancashire's railways are put at risk because of rail crime.

In the report, Burnley Central recorded the most incidents of objects being placed on the track.

Parish councillor Pat Jones said the youths responsible are aged anywhere between eight and 16.

She said: "It has being going on for a couple of months and there are many elderly people using the station who are finding them threatening."

Incidents of trespassing and juvenile nuisance on the railway should be reported to the British Transport Police on freephone 0800 40 50 40.