Media centre

Thursday 17 Jun 2004

CRIME-FIGHTING MOTORCYCLISTS PATROLLING RAILWAY NETWORK

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail and the British Transport Police have launched three crime-fighting motorcyclists equipped to patrol the railway network. Each day they visit stations, patrol and stakeout crime hotspots, check fencing and access gates, as well as assisting railway staff during any incidents. The bikers and their 650cc Honda Transalps have been funded for three years by Network Rail.  The bikes are capable of going off road meaning they are able to get to many access points much quicker than cars and officers on foot.  The bikes all carry breath testing kits, crime prevention posters and leaflets and have the standard police radio sets and equipment. Each day the bikers are allocated a stretch of track to concentrate on, but they are also linked in to Network Rail’s real-time information systems.  At anytime they can be called upon to attend reported incidents such as stone-throwing, trespass, vandalism, ticket fraud and over-crowding. PC Peek said: “It has been less than two weeks since I moved from the car to the motorbike and I am already covering more ground, visiting more stations and patrolling more miles of track.  If called to an incident, I know I could get there faster and assist other railway staff in reducing railway crime.” The motorcyclists have made 52 station/trespass site visits, stopped and searched a number of youths, issued 4 warnings, and responded to nine incidents including stone throwing, trespass and vandalism (youths setting fire to bins on train). - more - Motorcyclists – 2 PC Peek continued: “Being visible is really important in combating railway crime.  Seeing an enforcer or knowing an officer is near helps to prevent crime.” The launch of the motorcycles coincides with National Railway Crime week (21-27 June).  The aim of the week is to raise awareness with the public, parents, children and other key stakeholder groups of the problems of railway crime and how the industry is tackling them.  PHOTO AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY The British Transport Police motorcyclists, clad in their leathers, will be patrolling East Croydon station, a well-known hot spot, on Monday 21 June at 12 noon. Join them and British Transport Police Inspector Little to hear how the motorcycles have changed their approach to combating crime.