Police are investigating two pro-Brexit “sabotage” attempts to disrupt Britain’s rail network.
Home-made short-circuit devices were found clipped to railway tracks in Cambridgeshire and Nottinghamshire last week, along with a note threatening to “bring this country to its knees” if Britain doesn’t leave the EU.
The devices were designed to make it appear to signal workers that a train was stationary on the track when there wasn’t one, disrupting the network and causing delays.
But safeguards introduced to comply with EU regulations mean the devices failed.
British Transport Police said they were working “tirelessly” to catch those responsible.
And they said the would-be saboteurs had risked their lives to plant the devices.
(Image: ct)
The incidents came just days before a pro-Brexit protester halted Eurostar trains leaving London St Pancras international by climbing on to a station roof, causing delays for 8,000 passengers.
ACC Sean O’Callaghan from British Transport Police, said: “This was a serious and deliberate attempt by someone to cause significant sabotage and disruption to Britain’s rail network.
“We are urgently investigating the circumstances behind both incidents and are working extremely closely with our national partners, including the rail industry.
“It is important to highlight that these acts were intended only to delay services and not cause damage to the infrastructure, however this failed on both occasions.
“The railway has a number of substantial safeguards in place to prevent and detect this type of sabotage and we are now working tirelessly to identify those responsible.”
The note attached to the device read: “Government betrayal. Leave means leave. We will bring this country to its knees if we don’t leave.”
(Image: PA)
Mr O’Callaghan added: “We’re are currently keeping an open mind on why someone would put their life at risk to place these items on a live railway, however our early assessment has led us to believe it relates to Britain’s exit from the European Union. We’ll continue to monitor this situation extremely closely and have circulated advice to rail operators and indeed Network Rail.
“Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.”
