Media centre

Thursday 2 Oct 2003

£3000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO PROSECUTION OF ORE RAIL CRIMINALS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail and South Central are offering a reward of £3000 for information leading to the prosecution of local rail criminals. The British Transport Police, South Central and Network Rail are working together on a number of initiatives to crack down on route crime following a recent spate of trespass and vandalism incidents near Ore Station and Ore Tunnel. There have been over 50 malicious acts of route crime carried out in Ore over the last year. Serious incidents have included signals being shot out by air rifles, objects such as tyres, iron bars and bicycles being placed on the tracks as well as stone throwing at trains. Stones and other missiles thrown at trains can have a devastating effect on both the driver and passengers as well as causing damage to trains and infrastructure costing many thousands of pounds. Placing debris on the tracks has the potential to derail a train. Every single act of route crime has the potential to cause serious harm or even death and can have long-term effects for those involved.  Anyone who has information on these incidents is urged to call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A reward of £3000 is on offer for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.  The community is asked to report all incidents of rail crime to British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. The number is open 24 hours a day and calls are free. -more- Ore – 2 Dave Ward, General Manager, Network Rail commented, “I am concerned not only for the safety of the youths carrying out these acts, but also for the safety of passengers and rail staff. Trespassing on the railway is a serious offence and I would ask parents to help us remind children to stay off the line and not put themselves in a position where they could be injured or killed. I urge those who are old enough to recognise the dangers to keep off the railway tracks. If they ignore the warnings and go on to commit an offence they will face prosecution.” David Hynes, Head of Security, South Central said, “South Central is committed to safety and security on the railway. We are determined to work with our industry partners to prevent mindless and dangerous vandalism that affects the safety of our trains” Chief Inspector Otter, British Transport Police added, “ I cannot stress enough the dangers involved in either throwing items at trains, placing items on the tracks or actually trespassing on the railway lines. Any person caught committing such acts will be reported with a view to court action and could face long terms of imprisonment if subsequently found guilty.”