B250 Network Rail Safety Advice NRA23-04

Theft of a Network Rail Vehicle

Issued to: All Network Rail line managers, safety professionals and accredited contractors
Ref: NRA23-04
Date of issue: 24/02/2023
Location: Doncaster
Contact: Safety Communications

                                                                                    Overview

On Saturday 11 February 2023, a Network Rail vehicle being used by a member of the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) team in Doncaster was forced off the road by three other vehicles as it entered the motorway. Once stopped, persons wearing balaclavas and carrying crowbars forced the driver from the vehicle before it was driven away from the location. No one was injured during the theft.

At the time of the incident, the Network Rail vehicle was pulling a trailer containing a full reel of OLE cable. The vehicle had just left a storage unit located in Armthorpe, Doncaster, and the theft happened a few minutes later.

Immediate Action Required

 Workforce and Security staff should be aware of any vehicles loitering around depot entrances, especially in the hours of darkness. Note the make / model of the vehicle and the number plate if possible.

 When leaving depots, be aware of any vehicles potentially following and if safe, do not pull over if indicated to do so.

 All staff are to be vigilant and check ID / vehicle registrations as there is a risk that stolen equipment may be used to gain access to other NR sites to undertake further theft of metal resources.

 Consideration to be given to using heavy goods vehicles or covered vehicles for the transportation of expensive equipment.

 Report anything suspicious to British Transport Police (BTP) via 61016 or if immediately concerned, dial 999.

 Project / programme management teams are to engage with Route / region security leads to consider security measures for the protection of resources.