Great Western Coffee Shop

POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER SEVEN TRAINS STRIKE SHOPPING TROLLEYS THROWN ONTO TRACKS ^ TEWKESBURY ROAD/CHELTENHAM

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for information after seven trains struck shopping trolleys that had been thrown onto the railway tracks near Tewkesbury Road crossing between Thursday, 1 April and Monday, 10 May 2010.

PC Alan Fishpool, the investigating officer, said that the incidents, which took place throughout April and the beginning of May, were reported by train drivers between the hours of 11.00pm and 4.30am.

^On all seven occasions the trains collided with the trolleys causing damage to the vehicles and the lines.^

Officers are conducting enquiries into the incidents and are appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch.

PC Fishpool added: ^Offences like these not only cause huge disruption to the train operators and the travelling public, but it endangers safety and could potentially derail the trains. Obstructing the railway is a very serious offence and carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment. Those found guilty of causing Obstruction with Intent face a maximum of life in prison. We are urging anyone who was in or around Tewkesbury Road at the time of the incidents to contact us if they saw anything suspicious or have any information that may help us with our inquiries.^

Andy Coston, area general manager, Network Rail said: "This was an extremely dangerous act. The vandals responsible not only risked their own lives but also those of other people. The actions of these people could have resulted in extremely serious consequences. We are taking this matter very seriously.  Besides working with the British Transport Police, we are also taking steps to remind nearby supermarkets to secure their trolleys, so that the offenders will not have the chance to commit the same crime again."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B6 of 14/05/10 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Notes to Editors:

The offences took place on the following dates/times/locations:

1/4/10 ^ 2.40am ^ Tewkesbury Road (5.22pm service from Immingham to Margam)

2/4/10 ^ 1.32am ^ Tewkesbury Road/Alstone Crossing (6.43pm freight service from Tees Yard to Margam Knuckle Yard)

10/4/10 ^ 12.28am ^ Tewkesbury Road (11.00pm service from Birmingham New Street to Gloucester)

14/4/10 ^ 11.38pm ^ Morris Hill Crossing

6/5/10 ^ 10.23 ^ Tewkesbury Road (9.05pm service from Cardiff to Birmingham)

6/5/10 ^ 1.26am ^ Tewkesbury Road

10/5/10 ^ 4.30am ^ Tewkesbury Road