Media centre

Wednesday 5 Aug 2009

REHABILITATING GRANTHAM’S UNRULY YOUNGSTERS AND IMPROVING FACILITIES FOR PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

Grantham Station was the scene of a somewhat unusual sight on Friday 31 July. Armed with a roller and some white paint, a young offender made amends for his anti-social behaviour by spending nine hours painting over graffiti and removing weeds from the station’s foot tunnel.

The young offender was making amends for smashing windows at a railway station, trespassing on the railway and other antisocial behaviour. This forms part of a new Network Rail initiative to make those who cause damage to the railways aware of the serious consequences of their actions before helping to rectify some of the damage that they have caused.

Before painting began on Friday, the young offender took part in a panel session with community safety officers from Network Rail. These sessions give youngsters a chance to give their side of the story and for Network Rail to highlight the dangers and ramifications of their actions to discourage them from committing repeat offences.

Richard Pedley, community safety manager, said

“Anti-social behaviour on the railways can be both disruptive and potentially life-threatening. Community pay back schemes give us a real opportunity to get the message across whilst improving rail travel for our passengers and the local community.”

The busy foot tunnel at Grantham Station is used by local people travelling to the town centre as well as a large number of rail passengers who will now reap the rewards of this young person’s rehabilitation.