Media centre

Friday 13 Feb 2004

STICKS AND STONES CAN BREAK BONES AND A £1,000 FINE WILL HURT YOU

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail and its industry partners are sending out a message to youths who vandalise and trespass on the railway.  “We will prosecute and it will cost you £1,000!” Every day train drivers report children throwing stones from embankments, station platforms and bridges.  The consequences can be fatal to the train drivers and their passengers.  This mindless act of vandalism also costs the industry millions of pounds in repairs and delays to travellers.             Mark Phillips, Network Rail Regional Director said: “Stone throwing is one the biggest problems the railway industry faces in East Anglia. Reported offences over the last year have risen by 63%.  The British Transport Police are alerted to incidents and carry out patrols and stakeouts in an effort to catch and prosecute these youths.  It is dangerous, it can kill and we will seek prosecutions.” Mr Phillips continued:  “We have spent millions of pounds on renewing fences in East Anglia.  We have seen a reduction in the instances of children near the track and placing items on the track, but an increase in stone throwing.” - more – Stones – 2 From April 2003 to February 2004 (9 months) 168 stone throwing incidents were reported by train drivers and railway workers.  This has increased from 103 based on figures from the equivalent time the previous year.  The main ‘hot spot’ area is the West Anglia route out of Liverpool Street Station around Northumberland Park, Enfield Lock and Southbury. Multiple incidents have also been recorded on the c2c route, in particular Tilbury and on the Great Eastern route at Witham. Every week c2c has to replace approximately 20 train windows.  First Great Eastern has to replace 30.  These windows are either smashed due to stone throwing of irreparable due to graffiti.  That amounts to more than 2,600 windows a year.  If you see anyone trespassing or vandalising railway property you can call the British Transport Police, for free and in confidence on 0800 40 50 40. Many other instances of railway crime take place every day in the region.  These range from people taking short cuts, placing items on the rails, and children playing on the line side.  The railway is a dangerous place, with overhead electricity lines (third rail in London) and trains travelling up to 100mph.  Trains are unable to brake suddenly or swerve out of the way.  Despite the warnings both adults and children alike have been killed or seriously burnt and scarred for life as a result of trespassing on the railway. This half term, use your head.  Have fun and stay away from the railway.