KENT: Police vow to stop rail track yobs

Police vow to stop rail track yobs


ACTION will be taken against vandals caught attacking the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, say police who are stepping up patrols of the miniature rail line.

The move comes after boulders were left on the tracks and children as young as 10 pelted passing trains with stones near Palmarsh.

Windows were cracked and passengers feared they were being shot at with pellet guns.

Car drivers also continue to ignore red lights at crossings and vandals have left graffiti on the railway's property.

It is feared such behaviour could lead to passengers being seriously injured and trains derailed.

Police patrols of the RHDR lines are being stepped up in response.

Police Community Support Officer Sam Cooper said: "I get complaints almost every other day about incidents on the railway, ranging from kids playing on the lines to criminal damage, graffiti on the trains and cars jumping the lights.

"We have had deaths down at the line and I am just warning people to be careful.

"We're going to be patrolling more, all the way from Hythe down to Dungeness."

Letters will also be sent to parents of youngsters caught sabotaging the lines.

He said: "We're sending out letters and hoping parents will talk to their children about safety.

"If someone is caught a second time then the offence will be taken into consideration when we are deciding on the action to be taken.

"Boulders about the size of a person's head were placed down on the line at Lydd-on-Sea. If the train had hit the boulder at speed it would have been derailed.

"It would have been quite a nasty event."

Anyone who sees anything suspicious on the line should call Mr Cooper on 07772 225948.

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