From the
BTP▸ press release:
Vandals are continuing to put passengers^ lives in danger after objects were again placed on the railway line at Worle, near Weston-super-Mare, on Friday night.
British Transport Police (BTP) is warning those responsible will face tough sentences from the courts when apprehended for the crimes which could have potentially fatal consequences for passengers and rail staff.
On Monday 11 February, BTP appealed for witnesses after vandals put concrete and ballast on the line near Summer Lane twice in the space of four days on the evenings of 5 and 9 February.
In the latest incident, which took place at around 10pm on Friday 19 February at nearby Bristol Road, concrete and ballast was again placed on the railway line.
The driver of the 1805hrs Manchester Piccadilly to Plymouth service spotted the obstructions on the line and stopped his train before it hit them. When he got out of his cab to investigate, stones were thrown at him from an unknown number of people on a nearby bridge.
Officers from BTP and Avon and Somerset police attended the scene but the offenders had fled by the time officers arrived.
BTP is again appealing for the public^s help to track down those responsible and bring an end to the incidents which could result in serious injury or even death, if a train strikes the objects at high speed.
The first incident was reported to police shortly after midnight on Friday 5 February by the driver of a London Paddington-Exeter service who reported striking objects on the line.
No one was injured and the train suffered only minor damage as it was travelling at low speed at the time.
Four days later, on Tuesday 9 February, railway engineering staff spotted concrete on the line at the same location shortly before 11.30pm.
The staff managed to remove the objects from the track before the next train went through the area.
BTP officers have stepped up patrols and are asking members of the public who live or work nearby to remain vigilant in case those responsible return to the area.
Inspector Andy Irwin-Porter of BTP warned those responsible for the acts of vandalism could face life imprisonment if their actions led to the injury or death of rail staff or passengers.
Insp Irwin-Porter said: ^These are extremely serious offences which could have devastating consequences. Therefore, I will be using all available resources including police dogs and helicopter support to bolster foot patrols and mobile patrols in the Worle area. I would urge people living and working in the Worle area, between Moor Lane and Summer Lane, to report anything suspicious to BTP immediately. I^d also ask any parents to be aware of where your children are at night and report anything suspicious to us. These are reckless acts of vandalism ^ we cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this type of crime and the possible catastrophic consequences.^
Anyone with information should call BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident number B3 of 22/02/2010, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Click on the map to explore geographics
