Concrete blocks put on tracks
Police are hunting thugs who risked a train derailment by placing blocks of concrete on a main passenger line.
The blocks and a plank of wood were left across four sets of tracks, including those used by high-speed passenger services, near Syston.
Network Rail today warned that any obstruction has the potential to derail a train.
The concrete blocks were spotted by a driver late in the evening, when the line was at its quietest, and no collision occurred.
The line is used by high-speed East Midlands Trains between London and Sheffield, as well as slower, local services operated by Cross Country Trains.
Some freight services also use the route.
Trackside signalling and communication equipment was also vandalised in the attack at about 11.30pm on February 25, police said.
Officers have staged extra patrols at the remote length of track, near Fosse Way, but have been unable so far to track down those responsible.
Gerry Gibbs, of Mountsorrel, who travels regularly between Leicester and London, has been on trains pelted with stones and has seen youngsters running alongside the tracks.
The 39-year-old accountant said: "People who leave anything on the line, whether it's a block of concrete or a branch from a tree, should be put in front of a court.
"It is only a small chance that a train would actually derail, but it is a terrifying thought."
Rachel Blackman, spokeswoman for Network Rail, said: "Putting an obstruction on the track always carries the potential to derail a train."
Sgt Karen Barker, of British Transport Police in Leicester, said: "The concrete was placed across all four lines, which is really dangerous.
"It is a strange place for us to have an incident of this nature, because this is not a hotspot. It is also a weird time of night for something like this to happen."
Transport police have seen a surge in the number of trespass incidents since an uncharacteristically quiet half-term school holiday last month, said Sgt Barker. Children as young as eight have been spotted alongside tracks across the city and county, including Loughborough, Bardon, Knighton, Saffron Lane, Kirby Muxloe, Melton and Humberstone.
However, the overall number of trackside incidents has fallen in the past year.
In the past 12 months, British Transport Police have recorded 150 trespass incidents, compared with 222 the year before.
Offenders have included young children and adults walking their dogs or taking a perilous shortcut.
Police, Network Rail and train companies work in schools to deter rail trespass.
A major event aimed at young people will take place in Leicester's Victoria Park in August.
9 Comments
by Bonner, Enderby
Thursday, March 12 2009, 1:15PM
“Avtar,your right a turkey doesn't vote for christmas.
J,i think you make a fair point,but i feel at present the balance isn't right ,theres maybe too much understanding at times. At some point people have to take some responsibility for their actions.
It was a shame that when the Human Righrt Act came in it didn't include any need for responsibility!”
by j, leic
Thursday, March 12 2009, 12:47PM
“Interesting. So do people who believe in this philosophy believe that we shouldn't take into account anything other than the offence itself? So for example, if a child was brought up by someone like Josef Fritzl in a dungeon with no social interaction with other people was freed and then went out and committed a crime by say assualting someone you wouldn't take that into account, they'd be treated exactly the same as someone who had had a "normal" upbringing? Just want to make sure I understand, this is an education for me!”
by Avtar, Oadby
Thursday, March 12 2009, 12:06PM
“J, the namby-pamby do-gooders are gordon brown, tony blair, john major and all the other leaders of our country who have consistently allowed criminals to roam free when they have the power to ensure they are locked up. This is why we shouldn't have politicians making our laws but should be allowed to make them for ourselves: petitions.number10.gov.uk/abolishMPs. But what are the chances of politicians voting for their own abolition and giving up their expense accounts?”
by Ian Woolnough, Desford
Thursday, March 12 2009, 12:01PM
“For J.
The Government and the far left of the social system who blame people's offences on their broken childhood, their bored etc.
The Judiciary hands are tired by Government guidelines on sentencing that results in meagre sentences and a lack of respect for authority, which in itself is not a deterrent.
Happy?”
by mark, whetstone
Thursday, March 12 2009, 11:38AM
“I've reported to the police many times kids playing and putting stuff on the tracks near my house and if the police do turn up its hours later”
by j, leic
Thursday, March 12 2009, 11:20AM
“Ian, I always ask this question but nobody ever answers; exactly who are these "namby pamby do gooders" that you lot get so hot under the collar about?! Surely if you are so angry with them you can tell me exactly who they are?”
by SB, Leicester
Thursday, March 12 2009, 11:15AM
“If they are caught,an understanding tap on the wrist isn't needed here,they need sorting out properly. These people are way past brainless.”
by Ian Woolnough, Desford
Thursday, March 12 2009, 10:20AM
“I agree with K. These criminals if caught should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law without the softly, softly,namby pampy do gooders interefering. They are endagering lives. I really hope noone will comment that they are bored. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.”
by K, Leicester
Thursday, March 12 2009, 10:04AM
“When are the brainless idiots who do this sort of thing ever going to learn? Putting obstuctions across train tracks is just beyond belief. If these idiots were killed by a train whilst trespssing, their families and the media would no doubt blame the rail industry. If that was to happen, the only person I would feel sorry for is the train's driver.”