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Scores of passengers were barred from boarding a late-night train home from London after staff ruled they were “not fit to travel.”

The swoop at Euston station was aimed at revellers trying to board the 00.34 London Midland service to Northampton on Saturday morning.

It is the latest move by the train operating company to clampdown on antisocial behaviour and fare dodging.

London Midland said 162 potential passengers who were prevented from boarding the train were not in a fit state to travel and were a danger to themselves, other passengers and railway staff.

Checks on-board found that 26 passengers were travelling without a valid ticket.

Revenue protection and security head Darren Hanley said: “Quite frankly these people were not fit to travel. We have implemented this initiative following direct feedback from what our staff and customers are telling us.

“This particular service needed action taking and we have invested in measures and solutions that will ensure the safety and welfare of those on board our service.

"Our staff should not be coming to work to face harassment, likewise passengers shouldn’t be put in harm’s way and this initiative will directly improve the environment for all on board.”

Steve Helfet, head of London Midland’s West Coast Services, said: “The safety and welfare of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and we will do all we can to ensure that passengers feel safe and our team has the support they need.

“It is the few that spoil it for the many and our goal is to stamp this out with immediate effect. These early results are a step in the right direction.”

The company operates services in the London area north westwards, West Midlands and as far north as Crewe, Cheshire.

It recently launched random swoop squad raids on various parts of its network which continues to successfully catch fare dodgers and stamp out antisocial behaviour.

This latest raid at the weekend involved British Transport Police officers, security staff and members of the revenue collection team.