New bid to crack down on service disrupting rail crime
Rail chiefs in the North East are backing plans to cut disruption caused by trespassers on the lines.
Network Rail East Coast and LNER are supporting the Crime with Consequences campaign which highlights to potential offenders that they will face the full force of the law – including severe fines or even prison sentences.
Trespass is the biggest causes of disruption on the East Coast Main Line – with 751 incidents causing almost 1,700 hours of service delays last year.
A further 304 hours’ of delays were caused by 14 cable theft crimes, while 48 vandalism and obstruction offences caused another 54 hours of service disruptions.
That amounts to a total of more than 2,000 hours of delays – almost 85 days – on the route in 2025/26.
On the East Coast route, additional investment is being made in line patrols, along with enhanced fencing at trespass hotspots, including the use of drones sensors and smart CCTV are helping to identify and catch offenders faster and more consistently.
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: “Behind every delay caused by railway crime are people who are not able to complete their journeys on time.
"Cable theft, vandalism and obstruction aren't victimless crimes, they’re crimes against the millions of people who rely on the rail network every day.
“We’re working more closely than ever with our partners across the rail industry and British Transport Police, using new technology, from concealed tracking devices to smart CCTV, to detect offences more quickly and support investigations.”
Superintendent Darren Malpas, of British Transport Police, said: “This important campaign highlights both the dangers and consequences of criminal activity on the rail network. Those involved must understand that railway infrastructure is extremely dangerous.
"Anyone trespassing on the railway or attempting to steal cable risks serious injury or death. Through closer collaboration, improved intelligence, new technology and stronger evidence gathering, we’re working tirelessly to identify offenders, bring them to justice and protect the communities and passengers who rely on the railway every day.“
The campaign forms part of the wider rail industry’s efforts to reduce trespass and railway crime.”