A zero tolerance campaign against crime and vandalism on the railways has been launched by Railtrack Scotland.

The drive began as company officials said the number of offences being carried out had risen to "worrying" levels.

The initative against railway crime, the new name for trespass and vandalism, focuses on offences near and on the line itself.

The cost of railway crime to the rail industry in the UK is estimated at �250m a year, causing more than 1,000 hours delay to Scottish passengers in the last year.

Janette Anderson said vandalism could be catastrophic

Railway Crime Week, which marks the start of what has been called the most aggressive campaign yet seen against criminals who attack the network, will run for seven days.

A Railtrack Scotland spokesman said his organisation would be running railway crime awareness events across the country.

It would also teach primary schoolchildren about the dangers on railways and raise awareness of the dangers of level crossing misuse and the importance of crossing safely.

Janette Anderson, a director of the track company, added: "We cannot stress enough that railway crime could result in a catastrophic accident.

"Acts of vandalism cause the biggest single risk to the safety of the rail network, and the rise in the number of offences on the Scottish network is worrying."

'Threatening lives'

Ms Anderson urged local communities, teachers and youth workers to join the campaign in the run up to the school holidays.

She said: "People need to seriously consider their actions before potentially threatening their life and the lives of others."

About 50% of all damage to trains on the UK network is inflicted by vandals throwing things at trains or leaving obstructions on the track.

During the last year, there has been a 20% increase in the number of incidents of trespass and vandalism.

More than 70,000 yards of lineside fencing was upgraded by Railtrack in Scotland last year at a cost of �1.5m.