SLAITHWAITE railway station has become a target for criminals and vandals.

Now British Transport Police are carrying out both covert and high-profile operations at the station to clamp down on car crime and anti-social behaviour.

Covert cameras are also being installed to catch offenders red-handed.

Insp Glen Alderson, from BTP, said: “We will not stand for the criminal and anti-social behaviour that has been going on at the station over the last week.

“Our special police operation is aimed at specifically targeting these offences.

“My officers will be mounting regular high-visibility and undercover patrols.

“In addition, our Neighbourhood Policing Team will be working with the NPT from West Yorkshire Police.

“We will also be sending letters to schools appealing for anyone with information about the crimes to contact us.”

The most serious incident was at 9.45pm last Friday night when a Toyota Yaris car was set alight and destroyed.

Two cars were broken into on the same night.

On November 4 thieves attacked three cars and a vehicle was also vandalised in the car park on Sunday.

On Saturday police received a report that six youths on the Huddersfield-bound platform were throwing fireworks.

Steve Butcher, area director for Northern Rail, which operates Slaithwaite station, said: “We want our passengers to feel safe and secure when they are using our stations.

“We’ll be working closely with the British Transport Police to assist them with this operation.”

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 405040.

Anyone with specific information about Toyota Yaris fire should quote incident number 706 of 7/11/2008.