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Bag containing heavy pieces of metal from bridge

A £3,000 reward is being offered for information which leads to the conviction of those responsible for damaging trains by suspending bags containing heavy pieces of metal from a bridge near Shotton Low Level Station, Deeside.

Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail have put up £1,500 each in an attempt to help find the offenders who caused two trains to strike the suspended bags, smashing the driver’s cab window on both occasions, over the weekend of 13 and 14 June.

A third train was damaged after being hit by stones that were thrown from the same bridge.

British Transport Police (BTP) is today releasing photographs of a bag and lumps of metal found near the scene of the incidents in the hope that members of the public may recognise the bag which was hung from the bridge over the rail line.

The drivers of the trains escaped injury but officers and rail staff warned the incidents could have resulted in serious injury – or worse.

The first incident happened at about 8.35pm on Saturday 13 June when a train travelling from Llandudno to Manchester Piccadilly struck an object deliberately suspended from a bridge one and a quarter miles on the Flint side of the station.

A second train, travelling from Holyhead to Crewe, was damaged in a similar way about one and a half hours later.

The third train, travelling from Crewe to Holyhead was damaged at about 1.25pm the following day, Sunday 14 June, after an object, believed to have been a brick or stone, was thrown at the train.

In all three cases, the driver’s cab window was smashed and the trains had to be taken out of service for repair.

Although none of the drivers was injured, all were badly shaken by the incidents, which BTP is treating as extremely serious.

PC Miles Caine said:

“These were three very serious and despicable acts of vandalism that could have caused the train drivers serious injuries or resulted in death.

“Whoever did this put people’s lives at risk and we need to find them fast.

“I would ask anyone who recognises the bag in the photograph, or who knows who it may have belonged to, to contact us in confidence immediately.”

Arriva Trains Wales security manager, Gwilym Bowen, said:

“These were foolish, dangerous acts of deliberate vandalism that not only damaged trains and caused widespread disruption for our passengers but could have led to serious injury or even loss of life.

“Arriva Trains Wales would urge anyone who knows who is responsible to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.