Route crime

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File:Warning notice - Do not trespass on the railway, Buckley station platform 2 (geograph 6304641).jpg in Wales]]

Route crime is a phrase used by the British rail industry to denote trespass and vandalism.[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1129/ Office of Rail Regulation (accessed 21/12/06] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926024528/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1129/ |date=26 September 2012 }} It is believed to be the cause of most deaths to members of the public on the railways in Britain. Most route crime-related deaths are suicides with the rest being trespass-related.

Criminal damage and trespass on the railways

Acts which can be classified as route crime include:

  • People putting obstructions in front of trains
  • Trespassing and vandalising the railway infrastructure, including trains

To tackle route crime, British Transport Police works in partnership with Network Rail, train operating companies (TOCs), rail staff and the public.[http://www.btp.police.uk/passengers/issues/route_crime.aspx British Transport Police, Route Crime (accessed 21/12/06)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230151826/http://www.btp.police.uk/passengers/issues/route_crime.aspx |date=30 December 2011 }}

Operation Silverback

British Transport Police launched this nationwide operation on 20 December 2006 to target graffiti. On the first day BTP made 23 arrests. Traditionally vandalism has increased on the railways over the Christmas period.[http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1083317.0.cops_in_xmas_blitz_on_citys_rail_vandals.php/ Glasgow Evening Times (accessed 21/12/06)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154652/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1083317.0.cops_in_xmas_blitz_on_citys_rail_vandals.php/ |date=30 September 2007 }}[http://www.southtynesidetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1111&ArticleID=1938015/ END OF LINE FOR GRAFFITI YOBS, South Tyneside Today (accessed 21/12/06)]{{dead link|date=June 2014}}[http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/graffiti-vandals-targeted-in-festive-clampdown-1-167795 Graffiti vandals targeted in festive clampdown, Wigan Today (accessed 21/12/06)]

See also

Notes

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