Railway Crime

Certain types of actions on the railway are classified as railway crime and carry serious penalties such as fines, imprisonment and criminal records.

Endangering safety

‘Endangering safety’ means an act or omission which endangers the safety of people using the railway or working on the railway.

There are two levels of offence in law.

If committed by neglect, the maximum penalty for endangering safety is two years imprisonment.

If committed with intent, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Trespass

Most people believe trespass to be a minor misdemeanour, and outside of the railway environment it is indeed largely a civil offence. However, within the railway environment it is a criminal offence.

Trespassers expose themselves, rail staff and passengers to serious danger. Up to 60 people die each year trespassing on the railway.

The vast majority of people who trespass are adults; for example, people taking a short cut or walking their dogs along the line. They are either oblivious to the extremely dangerous position in which they place themselves and others, or they choose to ignore it. They set a potentially life threatening example to young children.

The maximum fine for trespass on the railway is £1,000.

If children under ten are caught trespassing, their parents or guardians may have to pay the fine.

Criminal damage

Criminal damage includes crimes such as graffiti, arson and vandalism.

Graffiti may seem harmless but people spraying graffiti often put themselves and others in danger when they trespass onto railway property. Graffiti on trains and at stations also impacts on people’s perception of safety of the railway environment and contributes to the fear of crime.

Cleaning up graffiti and repairing property damaged by vandalism costs the rail industry a lot of money which could be invested in improving the infrastructure and services.

The maximum penalty for criminal damage is 10 years imprisonment.
For arson, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Throwing missiles

‘Throwing missiles’ means throwing objects such as stones at passing trains.

Young people who throw stones at trains or drop objects from railway bridges may not realise that their actions could cause serious injury to passengers or train crew.

The consequences could even be catastrophic, causing a serious train accident if the train driver gets injured.

If committed with intent to cause injury or to endanger safety, the maximum penalty for throwing missiles is life imprisonment.

Obstructing trains

‘Obstructing trains’ means placing obstacles on the track or damaging the track so that train traffic is disrupted. Often the consequences are delays in train services. Obstacles on the line or damaged track could also derail a train and have catastrophic consequences.

There are two levels of offence in law:

If committed without intent, the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment.

If committed with intent, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.