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Trespass caused 9,437 minutes of delays on South Western Railway’s network in the year covered by the operator’s 1 October 2026 release—about six and a half days. That is an SWR network figure, not a UK-wide total. National figures cited in the same release combine trespass with cable theft and obstruction.
What the delay figures count
The headline figure is specific: South Western Railway says trespass caused 9,437 minutes of delays on its network in the year described in its 1 October 2026 release. The release equates that to around six and a half days. It does not present this figure as a national total.
The broader national figures in the release have different scopes and should not be read as trespass-only measures:
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- More than £4 million: industry delay costs attributed to vandalism and deliberate obstruction in 2025/26—not costs attributed to trespass alone.
- Third highest: SWR’s rate of vandalism and obstruction among Network Rail’s 14 routes, according to the release.
SWR also says separate data showed trespass and fatalities caused almost 14% of cancellations across its network between April 2025 and June 2026. That cancellation figure covers a different period and combines trespass with fatalities; it is not another way of expressing the 9,437 delay minutes.
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Why one incident can delay trains beyond the scene
A train cannot simply resume its journey when a trespasser leaves the track. Railway staff need to assess what happened, address any damage and establish that the railway is safe before services can run again. Network Rail says the disruption can spread from nearby trains to others across the network and sometimes last for hours. The original incident can therefore create knock-on delays well beyond the location where it happened.
The safety risk on SWR’s railway
Trespass means entering railway track, adjacent railway land or another area not open to the public without authorization. It is dangerous and illegal. SWR says most trains on its network use an always-on third rail carrying 750 volts of direct current; Network Rail’s You vs Train campaign also warns that the electric rail carries 750 volts. No railway track or electrified rail should be approached.
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If you see someone on or near railway property, report it to Network Rail on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016. If there is immediate danger, call 999.
How SWR says it is responding
SWR says it uses drones, sensors and smart CCTV across its network to help identify and catch offenders. At Waterloo, an automated drone is operated remotely from Southampton and sends live high-resolution and thermal imagery so an incident can be assessed before staff arrive. The operator says this can reduce the need for staff to access the track and help minimize delays. It has planned additional drone units at Clapham Junction, New Malden and Walton-on-Thames.
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The Waterloo system is described as an assessment and response tool, not a demonstrated fix for a particular number of delay minutes. SWR’s release gives no measured reduction in delays attributable to the drone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can passengers claim for a delayed journey?
Passengers whose journey results in arrival at their destination at least 15 minutes late may be entitled to compensation under SWR’s Delay Repay terms. Eligibility and payment depend on the applicable claim rules; a trespass-related disruption does not automatically mean every passenger qualifies. Check SWR’s current Delay Repay guidance for how to make a claim.
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