Helicopter to spot vandals

The helicopter will try to deter vandals

A police helicopter is being used for the first time to crack down on children playing near railway lines in Nottinghamshire.

Following the success at Easter of Operation Skyhawk, which targeted general trespassing, officers are using an eye-in-the-sky approach to catching vandals on Nottinghamshire's railways.

Already this year, four people have died on the county's rail lines.

The school holidays are commonly a period when incidents of trespass and vandalism increase.

British Transport Police in Nottingham emphasised it is vital children stay off the tracks.

PC Pete Clarke from the transport police said: "The railway line is a dangerous place to be and dirty, it is really just not worth it.

"An old motto we used to use was 'Play Safer, Stay Safe' and that is still true today."