Trespassing On The Railway Is a Major Cause of Passenger Disruption, New Report Shows

Published on: 4 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 4 Oct, 2026

Rail authorities are mounting a crackdown on trespassing. Image: Network Rail

Figures released by Network Rail and British Transport Police reveal that trespass on the railway caused 9,437 minutes of delays to passengers across the South Western network last year. This is equivalent to around six and a half days.

Across Network Rail’s 14 routes, South Western had the third highest rate of vandalism and obstruction – which includes deliberately placing items such as debris on the track.

Rail authorities are stepping up their war on trespassing. Drones, sensors and smart CCTV are helping Network Rail and the British Transport Police to identify and catch offenders faster and more consistently.

At London Waterloo, South Western is now using an automated drone to tackle trespass, inspect infrastructure faults and reduce disruption.

Operated remotely from Southampton, the drone provides live, high resolution and thermal imagery, allowing incidents to be assessed before teams reach the site. This can reduce the need for colleagues to access the track and help minimise delays.

Data from South Western shows trespass and fatalities caused almost 14 per cent of cancellations across its network between April 2025 and June 2026.

Some trespass incidents can require a substantial industry response and come at a considerable financial cost. Across the industry, vandalism and deliberate obstruction cost over £4 million in delay costs in 2025/26.

Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous, rail authorities point out. On the South Western network, most trains are powered by an “always on” electric third rail carrying 750 volts of direct current, which can cause severe, lifechanging injuries – or death.

Trespassing is also illegal, and the new campaign ‘Crime with Consequences’ is part of an industry crackdown on trespassers committing crime on the railway.