New campaign launched to crackdown on railway trespassers
Potential offenders will face the full force of the law – including severe fines or even prison sentences.
Network Rail East Coast and LNER are supporting a new rail industry campaign aiming to crack down on crimes committed by trespassers.
Crime with Consequences highlights to potential offenders that they will face the full force of the law – including severe fines or even prison sentences.
Trespass is one of the biggest causes of disruption on the railway and can have a significant impact on passengers, train performance, freight, communities and colleagues.
It can also require a substantial industry response and come at a considerable financial cost.
The launch of the campaign comes as new figures show trespass, vandalism and cable crime caused more than 2,000 hours of delays – almost 85 days – on the East Coast route in 2025/26.
Trespass incidents caused 100,755 delay minutes in the 12 months to March 2026, equivalent to almost 1,700 hours’ disruption.
A further 304 hours’ delays were caused by 14 cable theft incidents, while 48 vandalism and obstruction offences caused another 54 hours of delays to services.
Across the network, drones, sensors and smart CCTV are helping to identify and catch offenders faster and more consistently. Part of the enhanced industry collaboration will see improved collection of evidence to strengthen prosecutions, as well as a greater focus on victim impact statements to help demonstrate the effect delays caused by railway crime can have.
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: “Behind every delay caused by railway crime are people who are not able to complete their journeys on time.
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“Cable theft, vandalism and obstruction aren't victimless crimes, they’re crimes against the millions of people who rely on the rail network every day.
“We’re working more closely than ever with our partners across the rail industry and British Transport Police, using new technology, from concealed tracking devices to smart CCTV, to detect offences more quickly and support investigations.
“We’ve also increased proactive patrols across the East Coast route to deter offenders, gather intelligence and help keep passengers and railway workers safe.”
Superintendent Darren Malpas, of British Transport Police, said: “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.“