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Tuesday 29 Sep 2026

Rail industry crackdown as trespassing criminals cause more than 1,000 hours of delays for Wales and Borders passengers in one year

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

New data reveals trespass including incidents of cable theft, vandalism and obstruction severely impacted passenger journeys and contributed £2.5 million in delay costs to the industry in 2025/26.

New figures show trespass and associated railway crime including cable theft, vandalism and obstruction caused more than 1,000 hours of delays across the Wales and Borders route - equivalent to more than 44 days of disruption - and cost the rail sector more than £2.5 million in delay costs during 2025/26.

In response, Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have today launched a new campaign to crack down on trespassers committing crime 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.

Across the Wales and Borders route, 769 trespass incidents were recorded during 2025/26, causing 44,441 minutes - more than 740 hours - of delays to trains and costing more than £1.5 million in delay costs.

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.

Cable theft alone caused more than 290 hours of delays across Wales and Borders in 2025/26 - an increase of 98.7% from the previous year - and cost the industry more than £955,000 in delay costs - 175% increase from the previous year.  

Thefts can cause potentially lengthy delays due to damage to signalling mechanisms and other vital railway infrastructure, which can impact the railway's ability to operate safely, affecting both passenger and freight services.

Meanwhile, vandalism and offenders deliberately obstructing trains – including deliberately placing items such as debris and even other pieces of track on the railway – caused more than 31 hours of delays across Wales and Borders and cost more than £64,500 in delay costs during 2025/26.

The industry has today launched the new 'Crime with Consequences' campaign to make sure potential offenders are aware they will face the full force of the law if they commit crimes on the railway - including severe fines or even prison sentences.

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

Craig Fisher, Head of Readiness and Resilience at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “Behind every delay caused by trespass or railway crime is a passenger whose journey has been disrupted, a freight service unable to get goods where they need to be, and railway staff having to respond to an incident which could have been avoided.

“More than 1,000 hours of delays were caused by trespass, cable theft, vandalism and obstruction across our route last year, costing the industry more than £2.5 million. That is a completely unacceptable and entirely avoidable level of disruption and cost.”

“As well as causing serious disruption for passengers and freight, anyone trespassing on the railway is putting themselves and others at significant risk of serious injury or worse.

“We’re working closely with British Transport Police and our industry partners to tackle these incidents, identify those responsible and make clear that committing crime on the railway has serious consequences.”

Superintendent Darren Malpas, of British Transport Police, said: "Cable theft and associated railway crimes like trespass aren’t victimless offences. They put lives at risk, cause significant disruption to passengers and freight services, and cost the rail industry millions of pounds every year, which ultimately ends up costing the public more.  

“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 rail crime and is part of the existing No Second Chances safety programme. 

The campaign forms part of the wider rail industry's efforts to reduce trespass and rail crime and is part of the existing No Second Chances safety programme.