A new neighbourhood police team will tackle crime on the Tube network.

Despite having dropped since 2006, crime levels at and between stations in the Epping Forest district are still higher than in some London boroughs.

There was a five per cent drop in recorded offences at Epping, Theydon Bois, Debden, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Roding Valley, Chigwell and Grange Hill stations in the last 12 months, with 250 incidents in 2006-07 and 238 in 2007-08.

In 2006-07 there were 94 incidents of criminal damage, 30 thefts from passengers and 22 counts of vehicle crime.

There were also 43 serious public disorder offences, 17 reports of violent behaviour, six sexual offences and eight robberies, as well as one count of serious fraud and 9 reports of drug use.

Violence remained at the same levels, with 17 reported incidents. Sexual offences fell to just two cases, criminal damage rose to 107 counts, while theft from passengers dropped slightly to 27 offences.

There has been just six reported robberies but serious public disorder was still the biggest problem, with 29 separate incidents.

British Transport Police are vowing to fight back and have launched new specialist neighbourhood policing teams, who will patrol trains.

The teams will consist of a 24-hour response team, four uniformed officers, a sergeant, undercover police and two police community support officers.

The idea is that the highly visible team will also work alongside undercover train police to stop crimes such as criminal damage, and violence towards other commuters and station staff.

Chief Superintendent Miles Flood, British Transport Police’s area commander for the London Underground, said: “BTP has always policed these Tube stations but our new team will now spend even more time tackling crime in Epping Forest.

"The figures show that crime at Tube stations in Epping Forest has decreased and now we want to make sure that passengers, staff and those who live and work near the Tube in the district are not only safe but also feel safe.

"Our dedicated team for Epping Forest’s Tube stations will be working with members of the local community to identify local problems, as well as working to develop targeted solutions to tackling crime and the type of behaviour that may not be criminal but which makes people feel unsafe."