Media centre

Wednesday 26 Sep 2007

CRACKDOWN ON VANDALS AT BISHOPS STORTFORD

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Network Rail in partnership with the British Transport Police and One Railway is this autumn trialling a set of new covert recording devices to trap vandals on the railway at Bishops Stortford. Route crimes such as graffiti, vandalism and fly tipping cost the industry around £264 million every year, diverting resources away from investment. Bishops Stortford was chosen for the trial following a spate of problems with graffiti vandals. The portable CCTV recording kit which can be hidden from plain sight allows recordings to be viewed remotely. Relevant pictures can then be passed on to the police to investigate and be used as evidence for potential prosecutions. Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail’s Anglia Route Director said: "Crime committed on the railway often results in great damage and cost to the industry as well as delays to the travelling public. It can also tragically result in the loss of life as trespassers fail to realise the dangers on the railway including 25,000 volts that power the overhead lines. "We hope that by publicising this new trial that we can deter people from trespassing on the railway. Not only could they save themselves from prosecution but also from the risk of severe injury or death." Chief Inspector Nicki Watson, British Transport Police said: "We welcome this continued investment from Network Rail and One Railway. CCTV footage already proves invaluable in bringing offenders to justice and deterring crime. These new recording devices will be even more beneficial in helping to identify suspects and bring them before the courts.” Andy Sanders, Head of Safety for 'one' said: "We work closely with the British Transport Police and Network Rail to reduce instances of trespass and vandalism on our network. Initiatives such as this demostrate our commitment to continue to work together in a positive way for the overall benefit of rail passengers."