Written question WQ97506
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
How is the Cabinet Secretary working with National Rail and Transport for Wales to strengthen enforcement and fines on those who commit crimes such as stealing signalling cables?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
Transport for Wales and Network Rail have my full support in maintaining the safety of our Wales and Borders railway network. Transport for Wales work closely with the British Transport Police and partners to prevent crime across the railway. They have worked together to strengthen security measures in response to recent incidents of cable theft on the Core Valley Lines. This criminal activity is dangerous, disruptive and is costly to the taxpayer.
Criminal enforcement and punishment are a non-devolved matter that is the responsibility of the UK Government Home Office. That said, Transport for Wales is working with the relevant authorities to support the investigation into these matters and my officials have raised these incidents directly with the British Transport Police as part of our on-going funding agreement with them for additional PCSOs.