TRAINS standing in stations over the Christmas holiday have been targeted by vandals who have sprayed graffiti all over the carriages.

Detective Constable Gary Heseltine, of the British Transport Police, said there had been a spate of attacks across Yorkshire over the festive break.

Today he appealed to the public for their help in tracking down the culprits, who he said could be operating as an organised gang.

Anyone contacting the police with information may collect a reward being put up by York-based train company, Northern Spirit. One of the worst incidents took place on Boxing Day in Scarborough when a number of trains were covered in graffiti at the town's station.

The vandal, or vandals, left behind a prominent tag or graffiti name of the letters ATZ.

A similar incident happened on the night of December 28 and 29 when a train standing at Harrogate station was daubed in gold paint.

DC Heseltine said: "Whilst these incidents may be isolated we believe that due to a number of similar incidents at Skipton, Huddersfield, Sheffield and Newcastle at railway locations that they may well be connected in some way.

"It could be that graffiti artists throughout the region have got together in a co-ordinated way to target the rail network over the Christmas period.

Northern Spirit have offered a reward of £500 for information leading to a conviction.

Anyone with information should contact the British Transport Police on either 0800 405040 or North East Area Control (24-hour) on 0113 2436686.

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