Have a look at our section on staying Rail safe which also contains pdfs of the posters for the campaign.
Trespass l Vandalism l Graffiti l Obstructing Trains l Stone throwing or other missiles
RAILWAY CRIME
A Real Crime – trespass and vandalism on NIR
Trespass
Within NIR (Northern Ireland Railways) more than 500 incidents of trespass are reported every year, with the majority of them being committed by under 16s. This figure only accounts for a small percentage of trespass incidents with many more going unreported.
At UK level it is estimated more than 28 million incidents of trespass occur each year (Network Rail).
The impacts can be devastating. Trains can travel at 90mph and take the length of 15 football pitches to stop – if you are in the way the train will not stop in time.
Most people believe trespass to be a minor offence. In fact, outside of the railway environment, trespass is largely a civil rather than a criminal offence. Within the railway environment however trespassing on or near the line is a criminal offence.
The penalty for an act of trespass on the railways can be up to £1000.
Trespass very often leads to acts of vandalism. In many cases it is the precursor to it and it is difficult to commit acts of vandalism without first trespassing on or near railway tracks.
Of course it is not just those that want to cause trouble that trespass:
They are all trespass, and by doing so you are putting your own life and other lives at risk.
Railway staff know the risks trains, tracks and infrastructure can pose. They have to as part of their job. Railway staff are trained and follow regular examinations to ensure they are proficient in the rules of the railway.
Vandalism is when someone deliberately damages railway property. The most common types of vandalism on the railway network include graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and breaking and damaging railway property (such as fences, signs, lights, windows, bridges and tracks).
Damaging property and equipment prevents the safe working of trains and can injure or kill staff and passengers as a result.
Graffiti
For the graffiti vandal, danger is often part of the thrill. Graffiti is criminal damage. Its artistic merits are irrelevant. It represents one group of people imposing themselves on everyone else and as such is a form of pollution, like playing loud music.
They attempt to spray difficult surfaces, such as bridges or trains in sidings, putting themselves and others in danger. Property covered in graffiti makes users of the railway think that the vandals are in control. This includes fear of being attacked and means that they may choose not to travel.
For frequent commuters graffiti can cause them to feel dissatisfied about the product they have been sold – customer confidence is affected. For visitors to Northern Ireland graffiti can leave a negative lasting impression of our country.
Placing objects on the line can cause derailments. At any speed a derailment is lethal. If committed with intent the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.
Stone Throwing or Other Missiles
Throwing stones, bricks, bottles, paint bombs, or other missiles at trains has serious consequences. At high speeds even a small stone thrown at a window can kill just like a bullet from a gun.
Imagine the fear a driver or passenger goes through when a stone smashes through the glass – the potential for injury, blinding or death.
The costs of dealing with railway crime are enormous and it cannot always be eradicated completely, leaving permanent scars throughout the network. Trains and other facilities are taken out of service for cleaning, causing disruption and delays. Dealing with graffiti attacks also diverts valuable police and staff resources.
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