REGULAR beat bobbies are forging closer links with British Transport Police officers patrolling York Station, in the wake of a heightened terrorist threat.

York Police officers are regularly assessing the safety of travellers at busy passenger areas, such as the concourse of York Station, in a bid to reassure the public and deter potential terrorists.

The move is in addition to extra monitoring of sensitive locations, such as the Army barracks at Fulford and Strensall, and York Police headquarters in Fulford Road.

The measures have been brought in as part of the national heightened state of alert in the aftermath of last month's devastating bomb attacks on commuter trains in Madrid.

Superintendent Alison Higgins, York operations commander, said no officers have been seconded to the rail network, but officers on patrol are regularly meeting British Transport Police officers.

She said: "We're assisting with the risk assessment that's given to key locations nationally and raising visibility at locations which respond to the current level of tension."

Sergeant Graham Cheyne, of the British Transport Police, said all rail staff, from cleaners to trackside engineers, are watching out for suspicious activity.

He said: "We are getting assistance from North Yorkshire Police to carry out extra patrols. It is supplementing the state of vigilance of the police.

"We have normal contingency plans, but because of what has happened in Madrid, and the state of alert across the country, we are increasing patrols."

Sgt Cheyne said no specific terrorist alerts had taken place in North Yorkshire since the Spanish bomb attacks on March 11.

But he added that officers in London, on underground and main line networks, were experiencing an increase in calls reporting suspicious packages and activity.

"The public play a vital role in fighting terrorist activity and crime because they are our eyes and ears. People must let us know if they see anything suspicious," he said.

"We rely on the goodwill of the public to see things and report them so we can investigate and see how serious they might be."

Anyone with information about terrorist activity can contact the free, confidential anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency dial 999.

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, April 20, 2004