INCREASED patrols on trains out of London have led to 84 arrests in the last month, British Transport Police has said.

Officers have been targeting late-night services out of Victoria, Waterloo, Charing Cross and London Bridge to deal with antisocial behaviour and low-level crime. The uniformed and plain clothes teams have been in carriages on Southeastern services with an emphasis on later commuter services.

Supt Martin Fry said passengers were often subjected to behaviour which was unacceptable. He said: “This operation is aimed at not only providing assurance to passengers travelling home, but also to deter that small minority of individuals who attempt to disrupt journeys by being anti-social, drunk or offensive.

“Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Teams conducted a similar operation in the lead up to Christmas and over the first week of January and made 84 arrests.

“The offences included drunk and disorderly behaviour, drugs offences, assault, public order and affray.

“Whilst crime on the rail network is low we need to continue the good work with our partners in the rail industry to discourage those people who do not respect their fellow passengers from engaging in antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.”