Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle rail vandalism.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in Great Britain and tackling rail vandalism is a priority for them given it is a key factor in causing disruption on the railways.

The BTP use the 10 principles of crime prevention to tackle rail vandalism and they work in close partnership with the rail industry, including Network Rail and Train Operating Companies, to ensure there is a joined-up approach.

BTP carry out Post Incident Site Visits at locations that have been targeted to provide advice around security and environmental features to reduce the likelihood that a location will be targeted again. Where an area is identified as a Hot Spot, BTP will undertake surveys and assess the area to identify ways to tackle the vandalism taking place there.

BTP respond to incidents across the rail network and pursue offenders daily.