Written Question·Department for Transport·UIN 91972
Railways: Freight
Tabled: 18 November 2025
Answered: 26 November 2025
Question
Wendy Morton
Conservative — Aldridge-Brownhills
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of rail freight crime; and what steps her department is taking to reduce those levels.
Answer
Keir MatherThe British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales.
The BTP work proactively with Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) to identify trends, advise on crime prevention and work to identify and arrest any offenders when crime is reported. BTP hold a 4-weekly Freight Working Group which is open to all freight operators.
For 2025/26 year to date, BTP recorded 48 crimes across all FOCs, the majority of which relate to graffiti.