BRITISH Transport Police officers will be patrolling the last trains home from Lancaster to Barrow in a bid to stamp out a rise in drink-related crimes on the railway network.

Called Operation Furness, the police crackdown on alcohol-fuelled public order offences will target the last train home from Lancaster to Barrow on all Saturday services over Christmas and the new year.

Up to six officers will also be keeping an eye on passengers on the last train home this evening, on what is typically referred to as Festive Friday.

During the same period last year, officers recorded 11 public order offences on the rail network in Cumbria and police have vowed to tackle the problem proactively this year.

Chief Inspector Malcolm McKinnon, from BTP, said: "We want everyone to have fun over the festive period but every year we see passengers getting into trouble on the rail network because they’ve drunk more than they usually would and behaved in a way they wouldn’t dream of if sober.

"That’s no fun for anyone and unfortunately last Christmas we saw a rise in public order offences and anti-social behaviour.

"We believe they could have been avoided if people had just drunk a little less and thought about how alcohol affects the way they behave and the impact this has on other passengers.

"Our priority is making sure everyone gets to their destination safely and you will see more of our officers on the network helping people to enjoy the festivities, nipping any anti-social behaviour in the bud and deterring any violence.

"We have launched a national campaign asking people to have fun but also to keep a clear head and think about what you would do, and how you would behave if you were sober. There is no excuse for spoiling other people’s journeys or abusing rail staff just because you’re drunk.

"Having a drink could cost more than you think, not only could you find yourself with a criminal record, but we’ve seen people's careers, livelihoods, relationship and dignity ruined following a drunken night out. Don’t let that be you."