TRAIN bosses responsible for services through Keighley have vowed that the battle against trackside vandals will continue – despite a drop in the number of incidents.

Northern says attacks on its trains have fallen by nearly 90 per cent in the past 12 months – from 69 to eight.

But the company adds that it won't be "resting on its laurels".

Tricia Williams, Northern's chief operating officer, says: "Each and every incident recorded represents a serious danger to the passengers and train crew involved and we appeal to anyone participating in this criminal activity to stop.

"Fortunately, the appetite for committing these senseless acts is clearly in decline – not least because the chance of being ‘caught on camera’ is now far greater.

"That said, we certainly won’t be resting on our laurels. These statistics should stand at zero and we will continue to work with community partners across the region and our colleagues at Network Rail to identify perpetrators and support British Transport Police with any prosecutions brought before the courts."

The statistics include incidents relating to trains being struck by objects thrown from bridges, railway embankments and stations, and where collisions occur with "substantial items" deliberately placed on tracks.

Incidents in the past 12 months included a train travelling on the Airedale line, between Leeds and Skipton, being hit by a brick.

Previously there were two incidents within days in the Keighley area – a service, also from Leeds to Skipton, struck an object left on the track, and at Cononley the windscreen of a Carlisle-Leeds train was badly cracked when a stone was thrown.

Earlier this year, Northern added a further 600 CCTV cameras to its station network.

And 7,000 new cameras have been fitted to trains, enabling footage to be viewed in real time by British Transport Police.

Anyone who witnesses items being thrown at trains, or sees objects being placed on the tracks, is asked to contact British Transport Police immediately by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers – anonymously – on 0800 555 111.

A spokesperson says: "Rail users can also download a British Transport Police 'Railway Guardian' app, which enables people to report crimes or concerns on the rail network, share journeys with trusted contacts and get access to news, guides and support. It is available to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store."