Police search for pink paint vandal

British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after a vandal painted parts of the railway infrastructure in Exeter, causing £500 worth of damage.

A railway signal, ladder, junction box and 20 sleepers were all painted bright pink close to Polsloe Bridge station on Sunday, 14 June. Officers have now released a photograph of the scene and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward information.

Sergeant Mark Harris said: “Rail staff at Exeter station first spotted the bright pink paintwork down the line early on Sunday, 14 June. We therefore believe the vandalism took place overnight. The person, or persons, responsible had meticulously painted several pieces of railway equipment, including 20 sleepers.

“While the paintwork may look pretty to some, it has no place on the rail network where coloured signs and signals provide vital warnings to train drivers and track workers. The vandalism has had to be rectified by Network Rail at a cost of more than £500 and we are working hard to find those responsible so they can be dealt with for criminal damage and railway trespass.”

Emma Bartlett, Network Rail’s route community safety manager, said: “While this reckless behaviour has caused a significant amount of damage, the consequences could have been much more serious.

“Our first priority is always safety and therefore I cannot stress enough the danger the offender/s placed themselves and others in by trespassing on the line and defacing vital equipment.

“While you may think it is easy to spot a train coming towards you, the speed they often travel at means that by the time you see or hear them it can be too late. I hope this serves as a warning to others that what may appear to be a harmless prank has the potential to cost lives.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference G/B6 of 01/07/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.