Vital

Vital Rail Security (VRS) are currently providing security cover for 35 miles of track within the Thames Valley area with on-going successes relating to the apprehension and arrests of cable thieves and detecting and reducing criminality in and around the rail infrastructure.

Late in December 2010 a loss of power (non cable theft related) led to a number of delays on a section of track near Cholsey station which was later discovered to be a cable fault. It was decided that this cabling should be replaced and VRS were asked to provide additional security cover at very short notice for the duration of the installation project.

The route was evaluated and a plan put into place in early January 2011 to provide 24/7 security cover to protect the equipment, surplus cable on drums and exposed line side cable which was awaiting jointing and re energising.

Throughout the period that VRS patrolled this area there were no instances of cable theft or of any equipment. VRS management also liaised with British Transport Police (BTP) and were able to secure extra BTP cover in that particular area.

On Sunday 13th February 2011 the gates at the newly laid cable site were forced open by a vehicle and the vehicle got into the compound trackside. VRS patrols intercepted the gang and they fled the scene before any cable was disturbed or renewed.

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