On Thursday, 27 June, six incidents of mindless and dangerous vandalism to trains and the track took place on the Midland Main Line near Sileby in Leicestershire within two hours of each other.

The incidents included smashed train windows and trains hitting objects including road signs deliberately placed on the track.

East Midlands Railway, British Transport Police, and Network Rail have come together to urge parents in the area to ensure their children understand the severe consequences that can result from trespassing or carrying out vandalism on or near the railway.

The public has been urged to report anyone they see trespassing and to help educate children of the dangers.

The irresponsible acts endangered the lives of both staff, customers, and the youths who were seen trespassing.

The incidents also resulted in services being delayed, and frightening for staff and passengers working on the trains, and included:

• 19:00: The driver of a St Pancras to Sheffield service reported a loud bang from beneath the train in the Sileby area, thought to have been caused by items placed on the track.
• 19:03: The driver of a Leicester to Nottingham service reported an outer window being broken by stone-throwing in the Sileby area.
• 20:10: The driver of a Sheffield to St Pancras service reported striking debris including a metal road sign on the tracks in the Sileby area. The driver stopped the train and removed the items.
• 20:13: Upon arrival at Leicester, the driver of a service discovered a broken train window that had probably happened while passing through Sileby.
• 20:20: The driver of a St Pancras to Sheffield service observed youths placing objects on the track in the Sileby area. The driver stopped to clear the debris and observed the youths leaving the railway.
• 20:42: The driver of a Sheffield to St Pancras service reported stopping his train in the Sileby area and removing part of a trampoline from the tracks.

As well as the national network, heritage railways are also suffering vandalism, with incidents at The Midland Railway Centre at Ripley in Derbyshire in June, and carriages belonging to the Rushden Historical Transport Society being set alight in April.

These mindless incidents put lives at risk and lead to trains being damaged, delayed, and services being cancelled.

Even though we are putting in place a number of measures to help address the issue, everyone in Sileby can help us keep people safe. If they see anyone playing on or near the railway, please let authorities know – their call could save a life.

Also, especially with the summer holidays approaching, we are asking parents of the village to educate their children about the dangers of playing near the railways or placing objects on them.

Lucy Gallacher, Emergency Planning Manager at East Midlands Railway

Britain’s railways are some of the safest in the world, but people who carry out reckless actions such as these endanger their own life and the lives of passengers and train crew.

Network Rail works hard to educate people on the risks of trespass and vandalism, carrying out school visits, pop-up community events, and much more to help people understand the potentially deadly consequences of their actions.

Our You vs Train campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers people put themselves, and others, in when they make the choice to stray onto the rail network unauthorised.

Hayley Manners, Network Rail’s community safety manager in the East Midlands

Any act of anti-social behaviour on or around the rail network is not tolerated and deliberate acts to harm or endanger the lives of others will always be a priority of ours.

If you see anything that doesn t look right or feel you or others may be in danger, please text us on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.

Rich Kane, British Transport Police local Inspector