THE full impact of crime on the region's public transport network is revealed in a new report published today.

Safety campaigners have demanded tighter security on buses and the railways in the North-East after the survey showed that one in three people were too scared to use public transport.

They are fearful of assault, robbery, and vandal attacks, according to crime reduction charity Nacro, formerly the National Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders.

The organisation says that £250m a year is being lost as a result of vandalism, compromising significant investment in improving services and rolling stock.

Its report calls into question the likelihood of success for ambitious Government targets to persuade an extra two million people to leave their cars behind and use public transport over the next seven years.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail in the North-East identified Darlington and Newcastle as hot-spots for vandalism and trespassing on railway lines.

She said: "We do try to make people aware of the dangers but quite often they don't listen and see it as some kind of thrill."

Brian Milne, North-East spokesman for Transport 2000, said a visible lack of staff at the region's railway stations heightened fears about crime.

He added: "Most of the stations in the North-East don't have the staff. Thornaby Station, which has won awards, does have staff but only until 5pm. Later at night, people will start to worry."

On the buses, firms in Darlington and Teesside have been forced to withdraw services from some estates this year because of attacks on vehicles.

Stagecoach withdrew some services from the Firthmoor area of Darlington after reports of youngsters lifting the engine cover at the back of buses and pulling the stop switch, cutting the engine.

Arriva also temporarily scrapped a service to Skerne Park in the town after assaults on drivers and passengers.

Mr Milne said: "Perhaps it is taken too lightly, but even children should know that these are dangerous things to do."

Nacro said elderly people and teenagers were the worst affected by the fear of crime.

Councils also find it difficult to establish a concerted crackdown on the issue because public transport frequently crosses administrative boundaries, according to the report