Railway theft is a ‘kick in the teeth’ for volunteers

Sickened staff speak out after station is targeted by thieves

Sickened railway staff are counting their losses after thieves de-activated security cameras and helped themselves to equipment.

The incident at the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s Wittersham Road station, has left the volunteer-run service, which is a registered charity, thousands of pounds out of pocket.

General manager Shaun Dewey is appealing for the public’s help after three generators were stolen during the break-in last Monday.

Mr Dewey said a mess hut had been broken into and the camera and security key pad ripped out.

The equipment has a motion sensor, which enables an outside security firm to detect activity on the tracks.

He believes the railway’s security was breached just before 8.15pm on Monday, as that was the time the cameras were de-activated.

Once disabled the thieves took three generators, a Bosch grinder in a carry case and several drums of white domestic wire.

The cab window of a huge tamping machine that is used for track maintenance was broken and the contents of the driver’s cab scattered onto the ground.

During the rampage a mess coach, used by the permanent way staff to keep their tools and personal possessions had its window broken and staff lockers were forced open.

The losses also included 12 paraffin-burning signal lamps, large and small.

Mr Dewey said: “This is just another example of wilful damage to the railway.

“It’s terrible because they [the thieves] were just looking for anything that might be of value.

“As an overall picture what they took is not very expensive but it’s of high value to the railway because the equipment is necessary for it to conduct its business.

“We are a charity and our volunteers put in a tremendous number of hours of work to make the railway what it is.

“This is just nothing but a kick in the teeth for all they do. We do everything we can to keep the railway secure.”

Witnesses should call 01843 222289, quoting 46/33354/19.

Damage to the tamping machine

A signal lamp of the type that was stolen