Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to work with (a) Network Rail, (b) train operating companies and (c) the police to tackle graffiti along railway lines.

On an annual basis Network Rail spends more than £3.5m yearly removing graffiti. Network Rail must prioritise its expenditure on safety critical matters and those affecting the operation of the railway. For those cases that involve offensive graffiti, Network Rail will do all it can to remove this as quickly as possible.

In December 2017 the Department launched the refreshed Secure Stations Scheme. The scheme provides an opportunity for Train Operating Companies to demonstrate how they are working with the British Transport Police to reduce crime including issues such as vandalism and graffiti at stations.

The British Transport Police has formed a National Working Group to tackle graffiti and meet with Train Operating Companies monthly. It’s Crime Reduction Advisors work with railway businesses companies on security for sidings and sheds, stations and trains. Train operating companies and the British Transport Police also work with Community Rail Partnerships and station adoption groups on local measures to remove and deter graffiti.