Criminal trespass, vandalism and deliberate obstruction caused more than 1,500 hours of passenger delays on the South Eastern Railway network during 2025/26, according to new figures released by the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP).
More than 1,000 trespass incidents were recorded between April 2025 and March 2026 across the network linking London with the Kent and East Sussex coasts. The incidents generated 86,928 delay minutes and cost South Eastern Railway more than £5.25m in delay costs.
Obstruction and vandalism
Vandalism and the deliberate obstruction of trains accounted for more than 6,000 minutes of delays and over £390,000 in costs during the same period. Items placed on the railway included rocks and pieces of track, according to the organisations involved.
The rail industry and BTP have launched a campaign called ‘Crime with Consequences’, warning that offenders face severe fines or imprisonment. The initiative is intended to improve evidence collection, strengthen prosecutions and make greater use of victim impact statements to show the consequences of railway crime.
Drones, sensors and smart CCTV are being used to help identify offenders more quickly. The organisations also said they were using concealed tracking devices and closer intelligence-sharing to support investigations.
David Davidson of South Eastern Railway said: “Every delay caused by railway crime affects someone, whether they are trying to get home to their family, reach a job interview or deliver food to supermarket shelves. Cable theft, vandalism and obstruction are not victimless crimes; they harm the millions of people who rely on the rail network every day.”
He added: “This campaign sends a clear warning: anyone who commits crime on the railway risks serious consequences.”
British Transport Police Superintendent Darren Malpas said trespass and cable theft put lives at risk, disrupt passenger and freight services and cost the rail industry millions of pounds each year.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said trespassing caused “delay and frustration for thousands of passengers every year” and warned that people entering the railway were putting themselves at serious risk of injury or death.
The campaign forms part of the wider rail industry effort to reduce trespass and rail crime and sits within the existing ‘No Second Chances’ safety programme.