South West Trains employ wardens to make passengers feel safer

The operation, which began at 1600 GMT, includes 500 police officers and 320 ticket inspectors from five companies.

They hope to catch street robbers who use the rail network to get from one borough to another to commit crime.

About half of all robberies reported on trains in England, Wales and Scotland take place in south London.

Ticket inspectors are also on hand as most criminals do not bother paying for a ticket.

Civilian warden patrols

Superintendent Colum Price, from British Transport Police, said: "There is a very clear link between criminals and ticketless travel.

"Around 80% of those we arrest for committing crime on the rail system do not have a valid ticket," he said.

"Working with revenue protection staff is a good way of pinpointing suspects, disrupting criminal activity and helping cut down on fraud."

South Central, South West Trains (SWT), South Eastern Trains, Thameslink and Croydon Tramlink are supporting the operation.

SWT introduced civilian wardens on its south London services in September 2002 to patrol carriages and act as a deterrent to rough sleepers and ticket touts at stations.

Police hope Thursday's operation will lead to some arrests, deter criminals and reassure passengers the railways are being watched.