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Tuesday 29 Sep 2026

Campaign warns of consequences after trespass causes more than 60 days of delays

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Trespass, vandalism and cable crime caused more than 1,500 hours of delays – equivalent to 63 days – on the East Midlands route in 2025/26, new figures show.

In response, the rail industry and British Transport Police today (Tuesday 29 September) launch a new campaign to crack down on crimes committed by trespassers on the railway. Crime with Consequences highlights to potential offenders that they will face the full force of the law – including severe fines or even prison sentences – if they commit crimes on the railway.

Trespass is one of the railway’s biggest causes of disruption and can have a significant impact on train performance, passengers, freight, railway staff and local communities. It can also require a substantial industry response and come at a considerable financial cost. 

This year alone on Network Rail’s East Midlands route, positive outcomes have included the conviction of seven offenders, the issuing of four fixed penalty notices and 12 community resolutions. There are numerous other investigations progressing through various police and court processes.

Recent incidents have included:

• A man being charged with interfering with the operation of key national infrastructure after climbing a fence at Raynesway in Derby earlier this month.
• A man trespassing on the tracks at London St Pancras in August, causing 3,399 delay minutes – the largest such incident on the route this year.
• A woman who caused severe disruption this month when she trespassed onto the tracks with a weapon at Burton-on-Trent.
• A man who caused a train to apply its emergency brake by trespassing to go fishing at Burton-on-Trent in July.
• Delays totalling more than 38 hours when a man walked along the tracks at Cricklewood, London in February.

Network Rail, BTP, and the wider industry have been working together more closely than ever before, with the new levels of collaboration allowing for a deeper understanding and ability to tackle crime, identify offenders, and minimise the impact on the railway.  

Part of the enhanced collaboration will see improved evidence collection to strengthen prosecutions, as well as a greater focus on victim impact statements to help demonstrate the impact of delays caused by railway crime.

On the East Midlands route for the 12 months to March this year, 790 trespass incidents caused delays adding up to 69,250 minutes – equivalent to more than 1,150 hours’ disruption. There were 59 incidents of vandalism or obstructing the railway, which led to more than 80 hours’ delays, and four cable theft incidents which caused more than 275 hours of delays.

Across the network, drones, sensors and smart CCTV are helping Network Rail and BTP identify and catch offenders faster and more consistently.

Neil Fisher, head of safety, health & environment for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said:

“Behind every delay caused by railway crime are people who are not able to complete their journeys on time. Trespass, 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.

“Through the Crime with Consequences campaign, we’re making it clear that those who break the law on the railway can expect to face serious consequences, including fines, criminal convictions and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment. No matter the reason, trespass is never worth the risk.”

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.“

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: 

"Trespassing causes delay and frustration for thousands of passengers every year and stops people going about their daily lives. Anyone doing this on the railway is also putting themselves at serious risk of injury or death. 

"It is great to see the rail industry come together with British Transport Police to make it absolutely clear that trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence. Make no mistake, offenders will be brought to justice quickly, helping to reduce disruption across the network and keep passengers moving.” 

The campaign forms part of the wider rail industry’s efforts to reduce trespass and railway crime, working alongside the existing No Second Chances safety programme.