Classical music is set to be piped into four stations in the North East to help combat anti-social behaviour.

The latest stations, Nunthorpe, Seaton Carew, Stockton and Seaham, follow the success of the tactic at other stations on the Northern network.

Music will only be played at certain times of the day, which will vary from station to station to have the best impact on behaviour.

Shipley station in West Yorkshire will also get the same treatment. 

Read more: Three arrested after reports of people trying car doors in a North East town

Read more: Formal identification of female whose body was recovered from sea still to take place

Read more: Tragedy as police officers find body in search for missing man

An initial pilot scheme conducted at nine stations across the North of England in the past twelve months (Billingham, Shildon, Heighington, North Road, Orrell, Keighley, Hyde North, Ilkley, and Newton Aycliffe) which saw a significant reduction in the number of loitering, graffiti, and vandalism-related incidents during the trial.

The project was then rolled out to 23 stations earlier this year at Beverley, Birchwood, Brinnington, Bryn, Cottingham, Cross Gates, Fitzwilliam, Flimby, Halewood, Haltwhistle, Hattersley, Levenshulme, Lostock Gralam, Maryport, Mill Hill, Newton for Hyde, Penistone, Rainhill, Sowerby Bridge, Sunderland, Ulverston, Wetheral and Whiston.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here.

Kerry Peters, regional director at Northern, said: “We are pleased this scheme is making such a difference to our customers across the network.

“Anti-social behaviour is a nuisance in its lightest form and nothing short of a criminal act at its worst.

“Unfortunately, railway stations - like many other public areas - can attract this sort of mindless behaviour – which is unfair and unsettling to our customers.”

Anyone can report anti-social behaviour on the rail network by contacting British Transport Police via text message on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.