Up To A Dozen Trespassing Incidents A Day Reported On Sussex And Kent Railways

Network Rail has warned of a worrying rise in trespassing on train lines across Sussex and Kent, with as many as 12 incidents a day being reported.

Paul Langley, Head of Security, Crime and Resilience for the southern region, described the railway as an “inherently dangerous environment” and urged people to stay off the tracks.

“Our message is simple — stay off the tracks,” he said.

“You’re putting not only yourself at risk, but also those who have to respond to incidents.”

The warning comes from the Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre, one of the busiest control hubs in the country, which monitors services across the South East.

Mr Langley said trespassing incidents have a “huge impact” on both staff and passengers, with frontline workers often facing distressing scenes.

“These can end in really tragic incidents that we see far too regularly on the railway,” he added.

Trespassing is also one of the key causes of train delays, with ripple effects often felt by thousands of passengers.

“We’re not far from Gatwick Airport — people can miss flights, hospital appointments, meetings, and face childcare issues.

"It impacts thousands of people almost daily,” said Mr Langley.

To help tackle the problem, British Transport Police (BTP) have been increasingly using drones to spot and respond to trespassers more effectively.

Inspector Paul Donovan from BTP said drones have become an invaluable tool for improving safety and reducing disruption.

“We can deploy drones quickly — it’s faster, more efficient, and helps us minimise risk,” he explained.

“The most important thing for us is to get the railway moving safely and as soon as possible.”

Network Rail is continuing to work with schools, communities, and police across Sussex and Kent to raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing and the life-changing consequences it can have.