Helicopter joins blitz on railway vandals

Tube and mainline rail chiefs today launched a major offensive against vandal attacks during the Easter holidays.

The situation is so bad on the District line, the busiest on the Tube network, that a police helicopter with special cameras will help catch the culprits.

It will be backed by fast response teams on motorcycles. Rail chiefs say crime soars during the holidays.

The Tube blitz will concentrate on the east end of the District line between Barking and Upminster.

Missile attacks on trains along this stretch have been so bad that union chiefs say they will stop services unless something is done.

Earlier this month, a mainline train driver was seriously injured when a brick was thrown through his windscreen. The British Transport Police will lead the clampdown, codenaamed Operation Rhino. It will be a partnership between LU, the BTP and the Metropolitan Police Air Support unit.