Southeastern is ramping up security at 19 stations – 16 of them in Kent – and giving every staff member who wants it body-worn cameras to stamp out antisocial behaviour.

The rail firm has secured £850,000 in additional funding to step up patrols on its trains and at various platforms and concourses.

So far this year, Southeastern staff have been subject to 764 incidents of violence, accounting for 65% of all reports across its network, and has recorded 1242 incidents (42%) at stations overall.

As well as people being violent, the types of antisocial behaviour recorded includes verbal abuse, spitting and passengers travelling without tickets.

In Dartford – where there has been a notable increase in such incidents – there are to be more security staff from 2pm until 10pm, seven days a week.

The station is one of the largest in the county and has been handed a £45,000 investment alone.

A Southeastern spokesman said: “Our customers and colleagues alike rightly want to see us doing everything we can to deal with the stations where the highest levels of anti-social behaviour have been reported.

“Starting this month, and through the autumn and winter, we’re pleased to have been able to secure additional funding to step up security patrols and tackle concerns."

The operator, which was taken over by the government last year, has also introduced an extra 100 new body-worn video cameras.

This will allow live monitoring by the rail provider's control rooms and Southeastern says any staff member who wants to wear one will be able to.

The cameras, which will be worn by staff at stations and on trains, will be used to capture footage of incidents and help secure evidence for British Transport Police.

Police forces have worn such cameras for some time, while the NHS announced last year that ambulance workers in Kent would be given body-worn cameras as part of a trial, after assaults against them.

It's understood the footage is suitable for use in criminal cases and could be vital in helping secure convictions.

Their introduction – which will see staff be able to take photos as well as video – is part of Southeastern’s plans to modernise its network and deliver safer journeys for customers.

Cameras will also provide extra protection for staff when dealing with potentially threatening behaviour.

Patrols are also being stepped up at Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham in London and Hastings in East Sussex.

The extra staff at the 19 stations are in addition to 25 new members of staff working at ticket barriers.

British Transport Police says it will continue to conduct "unpredictable and highly visible" patrols at stations across Kent day and night.

There will also be more patrols by 100 railway enforcement officers.