Vandalism at Stourbridge

[Old Hill Bank]

The Class 139 Depot was broken into over Christmas with both Railcars suffering damage. Who are the idiots responsible.

https://www.facebook.com/Stourbridg...1315915246635/880724051972483/?type=1&fref=nf

Over the 2-day Christmas break, The Shuttle depot was broken into and both of our railcars were heavily vandalised with mindless graffiti.
We take huge pride in providing Stourbridge with a reliable, environmentally-friendly and frequent service. To say that we are annoyed and upset is an understatement.
Fortunately, we only missed a few early morning journeys due to the police investigation on site, and service is currently operating normally, although with the unsightly graffiti visible.
A specialist company will be undertaking repairs to both vehicles, but it is likely to take a few days and we apologise for having to provide your service in such unsightly conditions.
If you have any information, please report it to British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

[griffin]

That is an utter disgrace. The book should be thrown at a high velocity at those responsible.

Just what posesses those morons to do that?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Let us hope that scrawl has a mark of a certain anti-social moron that hopefully will be recognised.

 

[DarloRich]

it is bad (and criminal) but not the end of the world. The service still ran. A good acid wash will have that gunk off in no time.

I am sure the "artwork" can be traced to an individual in due course and that person punished.

 

[westcoaster]

I wonder how many units were done over the Christmas period, even in depots and yards (wonder how bad any unit berthed in Bellingham faired).

 

[SPADTrap]

Cambridge saw two of our 379s done despite a security presence.

 

[156441]

Two of our 323's got done at Stockport and spent the day in revenue earning service.

 

[156441]

And the other

 

[RichmondCommu]

That is an utter disgrace. The book should be thrown at a high velocity at those responsible.

Just what posesses those morons to do that?

Compared to some of the criminal activity that takes place in this country I'm not sure that it could be described as being "an utter disgrace". Just out of interest what book were you intending to throw?

 

[griffin]

I'd assume these depots, including the Stourbridge shed, would have CCTV equipment, but I wonder how often criminal charges are actually brought for this exact thing across the country?

I'm guessing the perpetrators disguise themselves sufficiently?

Compared to some of the criminal activity that takes place in this country I'm not sure that it could be described as being "an utter disgrace". Just out of interest what book were you intending to throw?

I describe it as such because it is my view that the flagrant disrespect and vandalism of someone else's property is wholly unacceptable, and should not be tolerated in equal measure, should it be a train or your garden fence.

If I were the cps, I'd be underlining every bit of law that has been broken and charging them with the lot, so tongue in cheek - the book I'd throw would be the statute book which I believe stretches many many volumes!

 

[edwin_m]

Full marks to the Stourbridge operation for the clear and timely explanation to their passengers.

 

[cjmillsnun]

it is bad (and criminal) but not the end of the world. The service still ran. A good acid wash will have that gunk off in no time.

I am sure the "artwork" can be traced to an individual in due course and that person punished.

Bearing in mind how long it took to track down Tox (some years), I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[dk1]

Cambridge saw two of our 379s done despite a security presence.

Noticed one of the newly reliveried 365s at Cambridge with 2 vehicles heavilly graffitied. Not sure where it was done.

Thankfully the Predendolino looks to have escaped even though in an easy open position at Crown Point over the festivities.

 

[arabianights]

Bearing in mind how long it took to track down Tox (some years), I wouldn't get your hopes up.

It wasn't hard to track him down, it was getting the charges to stick and have the law enforced properly.

If you ask me, grafitti like this (at least when committed by grown men) is a situation where making the punishment fit the crime seems suitable. Every TOC whose stock are "injured" past a certain ££££ value should be able to tatoo the perpatrator's forehead with an advert. Restitutive justice I think they call it.

 

[sarahj]

Couple of our 442's were done in Hove yard. Seems while there are lights and CCTV, someone was looking the other way.

 

[satisnek]

We've suffered this moronic crap for 30 years now, since it first crossed the Atlantic. Will it ever go out of fashion?

The way I see it is that 'human rights' legislation prevents it from being stamped out for once and for all

 

[dysonsphere]

Even if you catch them they will get of with very little punishnent. Maybe making them pay for cleaning, repainting or new vinayls would help. Hit there pockets after all they can afford to buy paint.

 

[bussnapperwm]

We've suffered this moronic crap for 30 years now, since it first crossed the Atlantic. Will it ever go out of fashion?

The way I see it is that 'human rights' legislation prevents it from being stamped out for once and for all

Stuff 'umin 'rites. Why should the little blighters get away with it.

They've committed Trespass, Criminal Damage, possibly breaking and entering, and that's just for starters!

 

[dysonsphere]

Stuff 'umin 'rites. Why should the little blighters get away with it.

They've committed Trespass, Criminal Damage, possibly breaking and entering, and that's just for starters!

the bench / CPS dosnt see it that why, god knows why. If you broke into a goverment office and did the same god help you. ( he wont)

 

[bussnapperwm]

the bench / CPS dosnt see it that why, god knows why. If you broke into a goverment office and did the same god help you. ( he wont)

Problem is that the CJS gives justice to Criminals, not the victims. My dad visited Saudi once when he was younger and he mentioned that over there if you committed theft then you had parts (if not the whole!) of your hand chopped off! Now I know it's a different culture over there but we need to grow a pair in this country and allow the victim to choose the punishment, not the CPS or some guideline which is weak. The whole Justice system needs reforming...

 

[dysonsphere]

Problem is that the CJS gives justice to Criminals, not the victims. My dad visited Saudi once when he was younger and he mentioned that over there if you committed theft then you had parts (if not the whole!) of your hand chopped off! Now I know it's a different culture over there but we need to grow a pair in this country and allow the victim to choose the punishment, not the CPS or some guideline which is weak. The whole Justice system needs reforming...

One of the problems is the punistment does not reflect the cost of the crime. A year at HMP`s pleasure would cure many. Oh hang on the prisons are full because we dont help offenders to get back to a normal life.

 

[DownSouth]

Can I suggest that those who have posted photos of tagged trains voluntarily edit their posts to remove them?

It is well established that the best anti-graffiti deterrent is to remove it immediately and to not let it get any publicity. Talking about it is fine, just don't post photos.

 

[dysonsphere]

Can I suggest that those who have posted photos of tagged trains voluntarily edit their posts to remove them?

It is well established that the best anti-graffiti deterrent is to remove it immediately and to not let it get any publicity. Talking about it is fine, just don't post photos.

Well I doubt if the taggers read this forum so its fine as an example

 

[DownSouth]

Well I doubt if the taggers read this forum

Google does though, and you can bet that those vandals who are into specifically targeting trains would also know where to look to see the reaction.

I'm also sure that most members have a rough idea of what graffiti looks like without needing the visual aids. Maybe I'll report the posts and let the moderators decide.

 

[daccer]

This problem is I believe here to stay and there is only one solution. That is zero tolerance. Grafitti is about exposure and kudos for the 'artist'. Immediate eradication removes this exposure. London Underground seem to have got a handle on this and if the damage is removed immediately and consistently would the perpetrators not look for easier targets.

I wonder what would happen if NR undertook to removed all lineside graffiti within a set time and insisted that FOC's etc did the same. After a period of time would it not become more effort than it was worth for the vandals who would move on. However if I 'tag' a wall or signal case and it remains ad infitum is that not an encouragement to carry on tagging. I know the NY metro used to remove cars if they were tagged and advertise the reason for doing so. Maybe some public indignation would also help deter would be transgressors.

 

[Welly]

I rode in a Northern Rail dogbox from Lincoln on the 22nd December and was underwhelmed by the graffiti tag on the side with the wording "Xmas 14" on it. I hope that is gone now.

Please don't let our rail system resemble 1980s New York Subway!

 

[Llanigraham]

We've suffered this moronic crap for 30 years now, since it first crossed the Atlantic. Will it ever go out of fashion?

The way I see it is that 'human rights' legislation prevents it from being stamped out for once and for all

Actually graffiti has been found and recorded in the Roman forts along Hadrian's Wall, and at various other sites, so it is a lot older than 30 years!

I'm pleased to see the Daily Wail element are alive and well this morning.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Actually graffiti has been found and recorded in the Roman forts along Hadrian's Wall, and at various other sites, so it is a lot older than 30 years!

Not of the puerile paint spray can version, though.

 

[The Planner]

Considering the setup that the Stourbridge cars have I am surprised it hasnt been done before, it really is just a big shed come garage you would have at the back of your house.

 

[satisnek]

Actually graffiti has been found and recorded in the Roman forts along Hadrian's Wall, and at various other sites, so it is a lot older than 30 years!

I'm pleased to see the Daily Wail element are alive and well this morning.

Yes indeed, and in more recent times (mid 20th century) you could see plenty of graffiti in areas of dereliction as well as the occasional proclamation of a favourite band or a political statement in a more public place. But this idiotic 'tagging' on seemingly any suitable vertical surface, repeated ad nauseam, came over from the States in the mid-1980s and doesn't seem to show any sign of abating (together with blippy, clattering electronic noise which passes for music and rap which passes for singing - it would appear that it's all inter-related).

And the Daily Wail's circulation shows that it doesn't represent a minority view, unfortunately