A company spokesman said there were hundreds of incidents on services last year, including seats being ripped up and passengers being intimidated.

The company is putting thousands of stickers on its carriages to highlight the ways passengers can report crimes.

A freephone number has also been set up for customers to report incidents.

'Frighten passengers'

Rachel Webster from Central Trains said CCTV is used on some trains but it alone could not tackle all the problems.

She said: "It can provide a certain amount of evidence but that has to go to the British Transport Police who have to try and apprehend the people who they see on the CCTV.

"So, the freephone number is there as an extra way people can tell us it's happening and it can be investigated.

"If everyone helps in this campaign, then we've got more chance of preventing vandalism but also catching the people that do damage the train or frighten passengers."