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Wednesday 9 Feb 2005

£1,000 REWARD – RAILWAY VANDALS HUNTED

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Network Rail is offering a £1,000 reward after a spate of vandalism on railway lines between Langley Mill and Stoneyford, Nottinghamshire. Nobody was injured but trains were damaged, services delayed and passenger safety threatened. Dyan Crowther, route director, Network Rail said: “We are not prepared to tolerate any acts of vandalism on our network. Network Rail and the British Transport Police are committed to tackling the problems of railway crime that threaten the safe operation of the railway and cost £150 million per annum and 775,000 minutes’ delay a year. Not only are trespassers and vandals putting rail passengers at risk but they also jeopardise their own lives. “Anyone who messes about on the railway is dicing with death but that apart, crimes of this sort cause massive inconvenience to thousands of people. We work long and hard with the British Transport Police, our partners in the railway industry and local communities to reinforce railway safety messages.” The reward will be paid for information leading to the successful prosecution of the offenders. Vandals have been targeting the railway line between Stoneyford and Langley Mill for the last month. Stones were thrown at the 10:52 Liverpool to Norwich train yesterday (8 February) at around 1.30 p.m., cracking a window of the rear cabin and causing two trains to be delayed for almost half an hour. Vandals struck three times in January, each time deliberately placing concrete blocks on the line with the intent of obstructing a train. The first incident happened near Boat Lane at around 3 p.m. on Thursday 13 January, affecting the 11:57 Norwich to Liverpool train. There was no damage to the train and after a short delay, services resumed. The same stretch of line was targeted again the next day, Friday 14 January, just after 2 p.m. when the 10:57 Norwich to Liverpool train collided with concrete on the line, causing damage to the train’s electrics. As a result one train was cancelled and four delayed. On both occasions two teenagers were seen climbing up and down the embankment. Major disruption was caused on Wednesday 19 January for three-and-a-half hours after the 13:57 Norwich to Liverpool train hit a pile of concrete blocks a little after 5 p.m. just north of Langley Mill. The leading engine’s gearbox was smashed, causing considerable electrical damage. Passengers were transferred to another service to continue their journey. The incident led to one train being cancelled and 31 delayed. If anyone has information regarding any of these incidents they should contact the British Transport Police on 0115 957 6510 quoting incident number 331.