Queensland Rail is fighting back against graffiti, catching vandals on the rail network and ensuring teams are ready to swiftly erase tags from its fleet.
The rail operator has released CCTV footage of two recent arrests, which coincide with a concentrated cleaning blitz of defaced Queensland Rail trains.
Queensland Rail Senior Manager Security Drew Brock said the shocking behaviour contributed to costing taxpayers around a million dollars a year and made no apologies for cracking down on the crime.
“In one incident the perpetrators brazenly attempted to deface a stabled train at Redbank, oblivious to the close and watchful eye of Queensland Rail’s security team via CCTV who were coordinating a response,” Mr Brock said.
“That resulted in the group being caught red-handed by our partners in the Queensland Police Service (QPS).”
Another vandal was caught spray painting a train in broad daylight by customers and station staff and was then swiftly arrested at Kippa Ring.
“These are criminals who evidently lack both common sense and respect for public property. Graffiti on our network is not only costly but extremely dangerous,” he said.
Mr Brock said Queensland Rail has a close partnership with the Queensland Police Service Railway Squad and other specialist QPS areas including the Remote Piloted Aircraft Services team.
“We share information and run operations targeting graffiti vandals which are supported by a range of security technologies, including more than 12,000 cameras for the detection, identification, and investigation of offences,” he said.
“Last financial year this partnership has made 33 arrests and 81 charges related to graffiti on our network, including 11 since April.”
Mr Brock said Queensland Rail has ramped up its efforts on graffiti removal in its purpose-built facility at Mayne Yard.
“In the past few months we have undertaken several full weekend graffiti blitzes, removing vandalism from between 12-15 trains each stint in addition to our regular rapid removal program,” he said.
“It’s meant these units can get back out on the network in the state our customers deserve and also reduces the motivation to offend.
“This financial year there were more than 500 incidents of external graffiti on trains up from 350 the year before.
“On average Queensland Rail spends approximately a million dollars each year on graffiti removal – funding we could be using towards services for Queenslanders.”
Mr Brock had a simple warning for graffiti vandals.
“The message to vandals is clear – these acts will not go unnoticed, and we will catch and prosecute offenders.”
