A helicopter has been hired by Chiltern Railways to help deter vandals from damaging trains and track.

Under Operation Skyhawk, a helicopter equipped with a zoom camera will patrol tracks, including the line running through Haddenham, Bicester, Kings Sutton and Banbury.

If trespassers are spotted on lines they will be followed until the police arrive.

Schools visits are also being made to educate children about the dangers and to persuade them to stay away from railway tracks.

Incidents of vandalism have included tyres and wood placed on lines and stones thrown at trains.

Chiltern and Railtrack Midland, which is also taking part in the project, are offering a £2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders.

The helicopter patrols, targeting school half-term holidays, cost about £5,000 day, with the bill being shared between the two companies.

A Railtrack spokesman said: "This is a pilot scheme and if successful will be extended to other school holiday times.

"The idea was first tried out by Railtrack Great Western based in Swindon, where it was successful."

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