£20k damage after railway joyride on digger near Catcliffe

The intruders trashed a number of railway fencing panels and sidings (below) before setting fire to the vehicle, British Transport Police said.

It happened at Catcliffe, near the M1 between 9pm on April 9 and 5am the following morning.

PC Roy Percival said: “This reckless behaviour caused a serious amount of damage and has cost thousands in repair bills. 

“Quite frankly, I am outraged that someone went to such extensive effort to cause damage, which could have ended in far serious circumstances.

“I am very keen to hear from anyone who was in the Catcliffe area of Rotherham during the evening of April 9 who saw someone acting suspiciously.

“Particularly, if you saw anyone acting suspiciously near to the railway at this time.”

Anyone with information can contact BTP by text on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 1900029936. 

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.