Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is working with West Mercia Police to bring crime deterrent Smartwater to the popular Severn Valley Railway.
The internationally renowned heritage railway, which runs between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, will be protected in Bewdley (in the first instance) by Smartwater in a bid to prevent it from being targeted by thieves.
The station at Bewdley and surrounding track have been affected after being targeted by thieves, which has had an impact on the railway. In order to reduce this from happening, Commissioner John Campion has donated a supply of Smartwater, which is similar to that used on homes within West Mercia, to this much-loved tourist attraction.
PCC John Campion said: “I was extremely saddened to hear that thieves have been targeting this heritage railway, particularly when it is having an impact on its running services. Other railways are similarly being targeted across the country, and I would like to make sure that our area isn’t one of those that is suffering.
“This railway is run by a great community that I would like to support and, in return, help guard against thieves and damage to the service it runs.”
General Manager of Severn Valley Railway, Nick Ralls, said: “We are extremely grateful to the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner and West Mercia Police for their support and expertise in protecting our valuable equipment stored on the railway. Our volunteers put many hours of work into ensuring the railway can run each year, and to see the equipment they use on a daily basis stolen is heart-breaking.”
Issued on: Wednesday 4 July
