The helicopter aims to tackle vandalism on trains

The craft will hover over known hotspots in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.

These areas are known as having regular incidents of children playing 'chicken' across busy tracks, throwing stones at trains and obstacles being placed on the line.

It is part of a joint operation between Network Rail and British Transport Police.

The helicopter will keep in constant contact with police and railway staff on the ground.

In Greater Manchester, the identified hotspots include the Atherton line, Bolton, Pendleton, Clayton Vale, Oldham and Cheadle.

In Merseyside the Liverpool to Wigan, Southport, Bidston to Hooton, and Bootle lines as well as tracks in the Edge Hill and Huyton areas will be policed.

The Blackpool north and south lines and the Blackburn to Colne line, in Lancashire, will also be targeted by the helicopter.