IT may seem somewhat over the top for police to take to the skies in an attempt to identify youngsters who are causing problems on the railways.

But Bolton has been identified as a hot spot for vandalism on the railways, and, if the perpetrators are not caught, lives could be lost.

With the summer holidays under way, British Transport Police has warned that incidents will increase. Recent examples include passengers who were showered with glass after a train was pelted with stones, and another train brought to a halt after paving slabs were placed on a line. It is imperative that those responsible are quickly identified, arrested and brought before the courts.

Many of the youngsters involved probably believe they are simply having fun, but messing about on the railway could cost them their lives as well as those of passengers.

Last year the police helicopter helped reduce vandalism on the railway by a quarter in Bolton. Let's hope it does the same this year.