Fences aim to cut down rail crime

Railway crime costs the industry £265m a year

More than 4,000 metres (13,123 ft) of steel fencing is being erected around railways in the South West of England to help cut vandalism and graffiti.

They are going up at 24 sites including rail crime hotspots such as Bristol, Weston-Super-Mare and Plymouth.

Work began ahead of the school summer holidays when rail crime tends to peak, Network Rail said.

Area general manager Chris Fuoco said the £350,000 project was an effective tool in tackling rail crime.

Saving lives

"Our best fighting tool, however, is prevention and getting safety messages across by engaging with young people in schools, local youth groups and community groups," he said.

"We will continue to work with them to raise awareness throughout the summer, when we will also be organising our No Messin' event, to help prevent crime and ultimately save lives."

Unfortunately Weston-super-Mare is one of the 10 worst towns for this type of problem in the country John Penrose, MP Weston-super-Mare

Network Rail's annual No Messin' summer event aims to get young people involved in activities such as sports and music, to help steer them away from playing on the railway.

This year, it is being held at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre In Weston-super-Mare.

The town's MP John Penrose said: "Trespassing on the track, throwing things at trains and putting objects on the line are extremely dangerous and can put lives at risk.

"Unfortunately Weston-super-Mare is one of the 10 worst towns for this type of problem in the country.

"If placed correctly the new fences should help to reduce the problem, but making sure local young people understand the dangers is vital too."

Network Rail said it spent £3.5m every year on removing graffiti on railway property and railway crime as a whole cost the industry £265m each year.