Rail chiefs have started a crackdown on youths who are making a Bradford tunnel one of the worst vandalism blackspots in the country.

Bowling Tunnel has been named as one of the seven most targeted stretches of rail track in the north by train operator Northern Spirit.

And now the company has teamed up with the police and track superviser Railtrack to start a series of initiatives to tackle the problems of vandalism.

One of them will force vandals to face the consequences of their actions by meeting delayed passengers. Another will offer rewards to members of the public who identify youths from their communities who are causing vandalism.

Nigel Patterson, managing director of Northern Spirit, said: "Our policy is one of zero tolerance. We will be pushing hard for prosecutions for all rail crimes - all the time.

"We are determined to do everything possible to make sure it's the end of the line for rail vandals.

"We are well aware that rail tracks and stations are potentially hazardous for children of any age to be playing near and for that reason we are encouraging all parents to ensure that their children always play in safe locations."

Railtrack officials have revealed that Bowling Tunnel has been subject to three cases of trespass and five cases of vandalism in the last six months including bricks thrown at passing trains and wire fences being torn down.

These make up a large part of all the incidents reported in the Bradford area which include seven cases of trespass and 28 cases of vandalism.

The Telegraph & Argus reported one case in June this year when five-year-old Paddy Cunningham had to be saved from the tunnel after becoming caught in bushes next to the track.

A Railtrack spokesman said the company's Skyhawk Operation - where a police helicopter searches for trespassers on the line and then sends officers on the ground to catch them - was also set to continue.

Railtrack has also joined forces with Bradford schools to provide information packs warning pupils of the dangers of playing on the tracks.