UNDERCOVER police have started to ride on West Yorkshire's buses and trains in a bid to stop the yobs.

Officers attached to the Target team have joined forces with Metro and bus and rail operators in a new campaign to cut transport crime.

Plainclothes officers are operating on and around public transport in Huddersfield and across the region, targeting incidents of nuisance, anti- social behaviour and criminal damage.

The Target team has worked with transport companies to identify the routes and hotspots most prone to trouble. Officers will focus on those areas to clamp down on incidents and prevent further offences.

In Huddersfield, there have been problems on buses in areas including Lepton, Bradley and Sheepridge.

Train vandals have also been at work at Deighton.

Metro chairman Clr Stanley King said: "Although the vast majority of the 200 m bus journeys made in West Yorkshire every year are entirely without incident, the mindless actions of just a few people can have a serious effect on passengers and staff.

"Metro believes everyone has the right to travel safely and comfortably and is committed to working with the police to tackle problems of vandalism, crime and anti-social behaviour."

Target's Chief Insp Keith Boughen said: "By working alongside our partners we can have a greater impact on crime and disorder around public services.

"This shared commitment creates greater opportunities to target known offenders and reassure local people," he added.

"Our message to would-be trouble-makers is: Be warned; you won't know when we're there and when we're not. Do you want to take the risk?

"We intend to run many similar operations throughout West Yorkshire over the coming months," said Chief Insp Boughen.