THE c2c rail network now has its own dedicated team of British Transport Police officers.

The team, consisting of one sergeant and three constables, will be working across the route to help reduce crime and reassure passengers.

Regular patrols will be carried out on trains and key stations, with special operations targeting other hotspot areas.

The team is designed to provide a more visible security presence for south Essex rail passengers.

The latest statistics show overall crime fell by three per cent on c2c services last year, with the number of crimes successfully detected increased by more than 15 per cent.

Superintendent Gillian Murray, of British Transport Police, said: “The team of officers are looking forward to their new role focused on the c2c route, helping local rail passengers to feel safe and to keep them secure when they’re using trains and at stations.”

The rail operator’s revenue protection team has also caught more fare dodgers so far in 2015 than at the same point in any of the last five years.

Iain Palmer, c2c’s Head of Security, said: “It’s really important that our passengers feel safe when they’re using c2c.

“That’s why we’ve introduced these officers, and they will be supported by our own roving security teams.

“From later this year we will also be staff every station from before the first train until after the last service has departed, so c2c passengers will always have someone they can approach if they need help.”