Media centre

Tuesday 26 Aug 2008

£710K INITIATIVE TO FENCE IN RAIL CRIME OFFENDERS IN WALES

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is toughening its measures to tackle railway crime. It is installing over 15,000 metres of fencing around the railway in Wales, to make it more difficult for trespassers or those looking to commit crimes, such as vandalism or graffiti, to access the railway.

Long enough to go round Wembley Stadium 15 times, the steel fences will be put up at 35 locations that include top rail crime hotspots – Splott, Cardiff Valley Lines and Hereford.

Network Rail has started erecting the fences ahead of the school summer holidays when rail crime tends to peak. Last year, more than half of the recorded incidents in the Wales occurred between March and August.

Mark Langman, Area General Manager, Network Rail, says,

“Erecting fences is another effective tool in our armoury to tackle railway crime. Our best fighting tool however is prevention and getting safety messages across by engaging with young people in schools, local youth groups and community groups. We will continue to work with them to raise awareness to help prevent crime and ultimately save lives.”

Network Rail spends £3.5 million alone every year to remove graffiti on railway property and railway crime as a whole costs the industry £265 million in total each year.

There were over 15,000 reported incidents of railway crime in around 3,500 places across Britain – although it is estimated that the true figure is much higher as much goes unreported. Over 2,200 objects were placed on tracks across Britain, and nearly 3,000 missiles were thrown or fired at trains.

Fencing work has started at Cwmbran, Fernhill and Splott and majority of the work will be completed by this Christmas. Sites involving child trespass and near-miss reports will be tackled first.