Passengers using the borough's Tube stations are being targeted by a new Barnet police initiative.

Operation Semeca got off to successful start at Edgware Tube Station on April 27.

Five people were arrested for a range of offences, including theft of credit cards, drug possession and indecent assault. Police this week revealed they would be moving on to another Tube station in the borough very shortly and joining forces with bus operators in the summer.

Detective Inspector Paul Anstee said: "There is a big link between crime and transport systems criminals use transport links to get around.

"People go on the Tube, get out at the station, commit crime and get back on again.

"For the last operation obviously we had got some idea of who we were looking for but the basic tactic was working with the fare-collecting agency from British Transport.

"Approximately 40 people did not have the correct ticket for the journey and we would find out who they are and where they live," explained DI Anstee.

"If people have stolen property or have been wanted for other offences elsewhere, they get flushed out that way."

Specially-trained dogs were also used to trace commuters carrying illegal drugs.

And DI Anstee added: "Over the coming months, police officers will be on the system in and out of uniform at various locations in order to protect the public and detect crime."