PROSPEROUS communters are being targeted in a new campaign aimed at cracking down on rail fare dodgers.

Train operator First Great Western has joined forces with the charity Crimestoppers to launch the campaign tackling fare evasion in the West.

For the first time, the public will be asked to report fare evaders through Crimestoppers' anonymous phone number, 0800 555 111. The initiative will be publicised through a new poster campaign at more than a hundred stations.

The companies have already cut ticketless travel from an estimated six per cent to around two per cent of customers, but fare evaders are still costing the rail industry millions of pounds a year.

The striking posters carry the slogan Can Pay, Won't Pay, recognising that the most significant fare evasion is often carried out by business people and professionals.

People convicted of deliberate fare evasion face a fine of up to £1,000 or three months in prison, receive a criminal record and are asked to pay compensation and costs. These penalties can be levied on those who have tried to avoid a fare of just a few pounds.

The new campaign builds on the companies' work to thwart fare dodgers, including exercises at stations, regular ticket checks on trains and the setting up of a dedicated prosecutions unit.

First Great Western and First Great Western Link recently employed 23 extra revenue protection officers to tackle ticketless travel.

In the last year, more than 27,000 Penalty Fare notices have been issued, more than 2,000 people have been prosecuted and £3 million of revenue has been recovered for re-investment in the rail network.

Peter Standring, business manager revenue protection for First Great Western and sister company First Great Western Link, said: "People calling Crimestoppers may be aware of colleagues or acquaintances who regularly travel without a ticket. Perhaps commuters may see fare evaders regularly travelling on a long journey while only buying tickets to local stations. Or perhaps they may overhear people on board trains boasting that they are travelling without a ticket.

"Whatever the circumstances, we would urge them to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."