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Monday 12 Oct 2026

Rail industry crackdown as trespassing criminals cause more than 1,500 hours of delays on South Eastern Railway network

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

• Trespass crime including vandalism, and obstruction caused over two months of delays to passengers and cost the South Eastern Railway over £5 million in delay costs
• New crackdown campaign sees rail industry and British Transport Police work closer together than ever in tackling trespass and railway crime
• New technology and better evidence gathering to bring more offenders to justice and reduce impact on passengers.

New figures show trespass-related crimes including vandalism and obstruction caused over 1,500 hours of delays for passengers – equivalent to over two months of waiting on trains or in stations – and cost the South Eastern Railway more than £5million in delay costs during 2025/26.

In response, the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP) have 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.

On the Southeastern network, which connects the capital with the Kent and East Sussex coast, over 1,000 incidents of trespass took place in between April 2025 and March 2026. This caused 86,928 delay minutes and cost the South Eastern Railway over £5.25 million.

The rail industry and the BTP 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 a greater focus on victim impact statements to help demonstrate the impact of delays caused by railway crime.

Meanwhile, vandalism and offenders deliberately obstructing trains – through deliberately placing items such as rocks and even other pieces of track on the railway – caused over 6,000 minutes of delays and cost over £390,000 in delay costs in 2025/26.

The organisations have 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 the industry and the BTP identify and catch offenders faster and more consistently.

David Davidson, Chief Operating Operator for South Eastern Railway, said:

"Every delay caused by railway crime affects someone, whether they are trying to get home to their family, reach a job interview or deliver food to supermarket shelves. Cable theft, vandalism and obstruction are not victimless crimes; they harm the millions of people who rely on the rail network every day.

"The rail industry is working more closely than ever with British Transport Police, using technology such as concealed tracking devices and smart CCTV to detect offences faster and support investigations. This campaign sends a clear warning: anyone who commits crime on the railway risks 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.