RAIL operator Northern – which runs services on the Airedale line – is urging people to immediately report any incidents or suspicious behaviour they witness.

The company has issued the plea amid concerns that some attacks on railway infrastructure and trains in the past year could have been avoided if the public had come forward with information.

Northern is encouraging people to download the relaunched British Transport Police app Railway Guardian, which enables users to report crimes or concerns across the rail network.

In 2021-22, there were nearly 70 attacks throughout the region.

More than 40 incidents involved missiles such as bricks and stones being thrown at trains.

Plus, "substantial items" – including shopping trollies, pushchairs and bikes – were purposely dumped on the lines.

Incidents on the Airedale route included two within days.

On May 20 last year, the 2.26pm service from Leeds to Skipton struck an object left on the track at Keighley.

Then five days later, at Cononley, the windscreen of the 1.40pm Carlisle to Leeds train was badly cracked when a stone was thrown.

Tricia Williams, Northern's chief operating officer, says: "Whilst they are extremely rare, we've seen some horrendous incidents on the railway during the past year or so.

"The old maxim 'someone must know something' is what we need to focus on.

"These are senseless crimes which in some cases could have been avoided if people had come forward with information or suspicions.

"We need to look out for one another, and the Railway Guardian app helps get information about threats to the railway – or rail users – to the right people quickly and simply."

Northern says it works with British Transport Police to identify those responsible for attacks and bring them to justice.

A British Transport Police spokesperson says: "Obstructing the railway is a stupid, reckless and mindless act. Placing items on the line or throwing rocks and stones at passing trains risks the lives of passengers and rail staff.

"Safety on the railway is our priority. This is not a harmless prank – it is criminal and dangerous, and we will prosecute those responsible."

The app is available to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Anyone with information about any crime on the railway can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.