[locojoe]

FROM THE BTPOLICE SITE.
04/01/2008 11:41
POLICE APPEAL AFTER TRAIN WINDSCREEN SMASHED BY VANDALS IN GRIMSBY

British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for any information in relation to an incident where a large object was dropped from a footbridge onto an oncoming train near Fuller Street in Cleethorpes, Grimsby at around 19.30hours on Thursday 3 January 2008.

The 19.28 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport First TransPennine Express service was passing under Fuller Street footbridge when a large object was thrown from the bridge smashing the windscreen of the oncoming train.

The driver of the train reported seeing four youths on the bridge at the time of the incident.

The train had passengers and full train crew on board at the time of the incident; fortunately no-one was injured.

British Transport Police were called and searched the area in question but there was no trace of any suspects.

Inspector Graham Bridges of British Transport Police said

“It’s vital that we catch those involved in this incident. I cannot emphasise strongly enough the dangers associated with this type of crime.

"As well as young people throwing objects at trains we often encounter problems with trespassing and placing obstructions on the railway lines. This has resulted in incidents where train drivers have been seriously injured or in the case of obstructions, trains have derailed and the lives of passengers placed at risk.

"The railway is not a playground and can be a dangerous environment. The reality is risking being hit by 25,000 volts of electricity and trains traveling at speeds of up to 100mph, a train can’t swerve to miss someone in its path. In addition anyone who is caught trespassing can face a maximum £1,000 fine.

"The footbridge area in a popular route for dog walkers to and from the sea front and I would urge anyone who was in or around that area around the time of the incident and who may seen the youths hanging around or have any information that may help us with our inquiries to contact BTP in strict confidence on freefone 0800 405040 quoting incident number 441 03/01/2008”.

Edith Rodgers, customer services director at First TransPennine Express, said: “People who throw objects at trains need to realise that they are aiming at people and this is extremely dangerous.

"There is no justification for this kind of behaviour and the railway should not be used as a playground. We will not tolerate anybody who tries to jeopardise the safety of our passengers and staff and are working closely with the British Transport Police to investigate this further.”