Rail chiefs appeal for help to tackle incidents on the tracks

EAST Midlands Railway (EMR) is urging the public to help them tackle potentially very dangerous incidents on its network after the operator was targeted more than 20 times by people throwing things at their trains or leaving items on tracks.

In the past 12 months, EMR has recorded 10 incidents where items have been purposefully placed on the line, causing delays and damage.

The items have included a microwave thrown on the tracks in Derby, a shopping trolley on a line near Leicester station and a bicycle placed on the tracks near Kettering station.

Bricks, stones and rocks were also thrown at EMR’S trains 14 times throughout the year – smashing windows and potentially endangering lives of customers and railway staff – often causing so much damage that trains were taken out of service for repairs, leading to delays and cancellations.

In April, youths caused serious damage to one of EMR’S trains after they threw bricks at it.

To help address these incidents, EMR is installing high-definition CCTV that can be monitored in real time by the British Transport Police and is making use of the ‘what3words’ system to identify the exact location of any illegal activity. Footage and geographical data will also be supplied by EMR to the police to assist with any criminal prosecutions.

EMR’S Community Rail team is helping to address the issue by working closely with Network Rail’s Community Engagement Manager and visiting schools to promote rail safety.