Central Trains have installed the cameras at railway sidings

Central Trains piloted the US-style "Flashcams" at three stations in January after �300,000 worth of damage was caused to its trains every year.

The cameras react to movement alongside trains and take pictures of criminals.

A voice activated warning tells offenders: "Stop. Your photograph has been taken and the British Transport Police are on their way."

'Stamped out'

The cameras were first installed at Leamington Spa, Worcester and Nottingham.

They are currently being fitted at sidings in Coventry, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Cambridge, and in other areas where graffiti still needs to be combated.

Gary Stokes, from Central Trains, said: "Since we introduced the cameras there has been a significant reduction in the amount of graffiti attacks.

"I think the message that we will not tolerate this kind of anti-social behaviour and just the presence of the cameras, is certainly helping to combat the enormous problem we once had.

"We will continue with our efforts until it is stamped out for good."

So far, 11 films have been developed from graffiti incidents and the offenders are now on the British Transport Police's UK database.

Central Trains operates services across the West Midlands including Staffordshire, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.