PATROLS on Fife Circle trains have been stepped up after a rise in anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

Scotrail are using their CCTV centre at Dunfermline – as well as one at Paisley – to spot any disorder and passengers are being urged to play their part and report any bad behaviour.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has written to Scotrail after concerns were raised to her.

“Following reports of large groups travelling on the Fife circle and drinking in crowds at stations and on trains, I wrote to ScotRail to raise these concerns," she explained.

"ScotRail has recognised this is a problem and I welcome the work they are doing to address this, including increased presence of on-train staff and patrols on known hot spot routes.

“This behaviour is not only breaking the rules of restrictions on meeting others from a different household and unnecessary travel, it is disruptive and anti-social, and takes up the resources of ScotRail and the British Transport Police at a challenging time.

"We must ensure that travel routes for essential workers are safe places to be.”

A British Transport Police spokesperson said they had recently stepped up patrols in the Fife Circle area.

"We’re working tirelessly to deter criminality and anti-social behaviour on the railway network," said the spokesperson.

“Too many times we have seen the tragic consequences of young people ignoring the warnings about trespassing on the railway and taking risks that have resulted in terrible injuries or death, so it’s vital that parents play their part and ensure they know where their children are and what they are up to.

“Some of these incidents are incredibly dangerous – throwing objects onto the tracks or at trains puts both passengers and staff at significant risk, not to mention the thousands of pounds it can cost in repairs to trains and railway infrastructure.

"Despite these figures it is important to remember that becoming a victim of crime remains extremely low in Fife. Passengers and rail staff should be reassured that we are taking positive and firm action against trouble makers.

"A number of arrests have been made and we will continue being highly visible both on board train services and at stations.

“Passengers continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting crimes and concerns by texting 61016.”

A ScotRail spokesperson added: “We deplore any kind of anti-social behaviour. It has no place on Scotland’s Railway.

“We continue to work with British Transport Police to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour and would ask our customers to contact BTP if they see anything suspicious.”