CALLS have been made for British Transport Police to beef up their security on local trains after reports of 'multiple disturbances' on recent services.

A train had to be cancelled on Saturday after an emergency lever during a fracas on the Ardrossan Harbour to Glasgow Central train.

It has been rumoured that ScotRail ticket examiners and drivers through their unions are now considering refusing to travel beyond Kilwinning after 7pm at night to Ardrossan and Largs due to how unsafe they feel.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall said: "We can't give into the junior hooligan element who misbehave.

"It is the responsibility of the British Transport Police who have their major headquarters in Kilwinning to police trains.

"I had a friend from Glasgow who was travelling to Largs and she was a bit concerned as she was sitting on her own - there were no ticket collectors or conductors. ScotRail should be putting more staff on their trains, particularly the ones identified as having a problem.

"It is a cop-out to cancel the trains beyond 7pm - a public service should be policed to deal with these people.

"The tickets don't come cheap and the taxpayers subsidise the trains to a very large extent.

"It is over the top from the train drivers to cry foul as they are well insulated from everything that goes on. Unfortunately there have been assaults on conductors which is to be deplored but you can't give in to these hooligans."

Labour Councillor Alex Gallagher said: "There has been periodic trouble, particularly at weekends and late evenings, but it would be unacceptable for trains to be stopped after 7pm in the evening.

"It is a problem for the railway company and transport to resolve and it should not inconvenience the people of Ayrshire because of the actions of a few hotheads.

"I would support any action to beef up security on the trains; the root problems is the behaviour of these individuals.

Independent Cllr Ian Murdoch said: "I have had reports coming back to me of people not feeling safe on the train.

"British Transport Police have had a difficult job but it is definitely a problem which has been escalating and something needs to be done about it."

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “Anti-social behaviour on Scotland’s Railway is completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate any such behaviour that puts the welfare of our customers and staff at risk.

“CCTV is in operation on our trains and at stations, and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police to ensure anyone breaking the law is brought to justice.”

British Transport Police confirmed that they were called to a number of incidents on the Saturday evening train from Ardrossan Harbour to Glasgow.