CHRISTMAS crime opportunists are being targeted in a seasonal campaign by British Transport police.

Police presence on trains has been doubled this month in a campaign code-named Operation Noel.

Sgt Mark Seales, of British Transport Police's York branch, said the point of the campaign was to target thieves taking advantage of the rich luggage pickings on trains over the festive period.

He said: "The volume of members of the public travelling on trains seems to increase a lot at Christmas - and people are carrying presents and a lot of cash around.

"Hopefully, the highly-visible police presence on trains will deter criminals and reassure passengers."

The initiative is taking place over the whole of the north-east.

Police based in York will be patrolling trains coming in and out of the city.

One measure to help passengers keep track of their possessions is an ultra-violet pen service, currently being trialled on trains.

Police patrolling the trains are offering owners of expensive luggage items, such as laptops, a chance to mark them with the pens, so that if they are stolen and recovered by police, the property can be returned.

Sgt Seales said: "This is something that has been done by crime prevention officers. We haven't done it before, so we are recording how successful it is."

The campaign is also targeting Christmas revellers who can cause problems on trains.

Sgt Seales said: "At Christmas time, you're looking at office parties - people who don't generally get in that sort of condition.

"Sometimes they can go a little bit far and it can escalate into violence."

Ernie Preston, secretary of the Rail Passengers Committee for north-eastern England, welcomed the campaign.

He said: "From a passenger point of view, anything that gives a sense of security is to be welcomed.

"There have been problems with luggage being taken but people should not be deterred from travelling by rail because of it. They should just keep an eye out."

Updated: 08:36 Wednesday, December 17, 2003