Police have detained three people on suspicion of vandalising several West Somerset Railway (WSR) heritage rail vehicles in the sidings at Minehead station on Sunday 26 February.
In the late afternoon, a small number of people entered the sidings and damaged several vehicles, which included WSR’s operating Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). The DMU sustained damage including broken windows and damage to the interior.
The DMU had been made ready for operation at the start of WSR’s operating season at the end of March. WSR has examined the damage in detail, and is confident that it can repair it for the start of the operating season. The season closes in October.
Freight wagons also had locks broken, and coach doors were damaged.
A local resident noticed what was happening and called the police, who attended the scene and apprehended and detained three people.
West Somerset Railway‘s General Manager, Kerry Noble said: “We are very grateful to the nearby resident who reported this activity, and to the police for responding rapidly and taking the appropriate action. Nevertheless, this is a very disappointing incident, following work that staff and volunteers have undertaken over the winter. We will all be working hard to ensure these vehicles can be back in use again as soon as possible.”
Responses
I hope those idiots responsible are made to PAY for the damage – and to apologise for their moronic behaviour.
As usual, IF the idiots are in front of a Magistrate (who isn’t bothered) it probably will be a slap on the wrist, maybe a small fine and told not to do it again.
Police and Magistrates need to take a stance and come down heavier on these idiots.
There needs to be harsher sentences given with this sort of thing continuously happening on preserved railways, it’s disgusting that time and time again, the hard work and dedication of volunteers and staff’s time is tarnished by the mindless vandals who have naff all better to do than go out ruining others hard work, and as always, they get off like it never happened.
It costs thousands of pounds to maintain and replace damaged parts each year, and not once do you hear that the ones who went out of their way and caused the damages, are made to pay for it.. just a minor slap on the wrist, and it soon happens again somewhere else..
No doubt these sub-human morons will get away with some paltry fine.
Unless an example is made of the consequences of this kind of behaviour then it is going to keep happening. At least 1000 hrs of unpaid community service should be imposed with the offender’s also made to pay back the costs of the damage for as long as it takes.
Ridiculous how people don’t care about damaging things
No doubt the magistrates will tell them not to do it again. That’s if the CPS prosecute.