SCOTRAIL and the British Transport Police are preparing to clamp down on anti-social behaviour on the Helensburgh and Balloch rail routes during the bank holiday weekend.

The pledge comes as thousands of people are expected to make the most of the forecast good weather by heading to the coast and to Loch Lomond over the next few days.

The ScotRail Alliance and BTP say that rail services on the Dalmuir-Helensburgh and Dalmuir-Balloch routes have recently seen "some unacceptable levels of disruption, particularly at weekends".

Between May 25 and 28, extra staff will be positioned at key stations and on train services during busy times.

The ScotRail Alliance said in a statement: "Verbal assaults on rail staff along with fighting and disruptive behaviour on trains and around stations, have resulted in ScotRail bringing in extra customer service staff to manage crowds and prevent problems before they occur.

"The ScotRail Alliance assures staff and customers that these extra measures are tackling what is unacceptable behaviour by a small minority of rail travellers – and to make clear in some instances it is disruption caused by groups gathering near the railway with no intention of travelling on a train."

David Lister, the company's safety and sustainability director, added: “As the bank holiday weekend approaches - with a promise of good weather - we expect many people to be out and about enjoying some leisure time.

“The safety of our staff and customers is our number one priority and we don’t want anyone’s day to be blighted by the anti-social behaviour of others.

"Violence and disruption on the railway won’t be tolerated and we’re working with BTP and providing additional patrols around known trouble hotspots to make sure it is tackled quickly and effectively.”

Three BTP officers were injured in a disturbance near Dumbarton Central station last month which saw eight teenagers arrested – and sparked fresh warnings from the train drivers' union ASLEF that its members would withdraw their services if they felt under threat.

Inspector Chris Shields from the British transport Police said: “We’re absolutely committed to tackling anti-social behaviour on the West Dunbartonshire routes and ensuring the rail network remains a safe and low crime environment.

"Unfortunately, a small minority are intent on causing trouble and we will continue to work hard with ScotRail and Police Scotland to reduce offending.

“We thankfully police a CCTV-rich environment and we will always exploit this powerful tool to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour and investigate offenders.

"Likewise, we would encourage passengers using the network to report their concerns to us discreetly by sending us a text on 61016.”