A SPECIAL motion-sensitive camera will be a permanent feature at a Worcester train station in a bid to catch graffiti vandals.

Following a successful trial period, the state-of-the-art FlashCam system has proved itself in the fight against graffiti attacks on trains at Shrub Hill station, which is regarded as being a "hotspot" of this type of vandalism.

Statistics from Central Trains, which is the first rail company in the UK to introduce the system, show that at least one incident occurs every week at the city station.

FlashCams have been placed at each platform where they are able to detect any lingering movement.

A photograph of the culprit is taken and a loud voice activated warning says "Stop. You are in a secured area. Lleave now. The British Transport Police have been contacted and are on their way."

It is hoped the equipment, which costs several thousands pounds and was first introduced on the railways in the United States, will deter future graffiti artists from entering the area.

At present, it costs Central Trains around £300,000 for the removal of the spray and in lost revenue.

"Graffiti has been an ongoing problem for a long time and now we are determined to stamp it out once and for all," said Peter Cushing, operations director for Central Trains.

"The camera has a motion sensor built in to it, a flash 35mm camera and a very loud speaker. It's not deafening, but it's enough to put anyone off who wants to do graffiti there."