Two devices left on railways in 'Brexit-related bid to cause major disruption'
British Transport Police say they are "working tirelessly to identify those responsible" for the devices.
Tuesday 2 April 2019 18:23, UK
Two "malicious" devices were placed on railway tracks in a Brexit-related attempt to "cause significant sabotage and disruption to Britain's rail network".
British Transport Police (BTP) said the two obstructions occurred on the railway near Yaxley, Cambridgeshire, on 21 March and Netherfield in Nottinghamshire on 27 March.
Police said staff at Network Rail identified the devices, which were "intended to cause disruption" to train services, and that the saboteurs had "put their life at risk" to plant the obstructions.
An initial assessment from BTP led officers to believe the sabotage attempts "relate to Britain's exit from the European Union".
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan, from British Transport Police, said: "This was a serious and deliberate attempt by someone to cause significant sabotage and disruption to Britain's rail network.
"It is important to highlight that these acts were intended only to delay services and not cause damage to the infrastructure, however this failed on both occasions."
Mr O'Callaghan added: "The railway has a number of substantial safeguards in place to prevent and detect this type of sabotage and we are now working tirelessly to identify those responsible.
"We're are currently keeping an open mind on why someone would put their life at risk to place these items on a live railway, however our early assessment has led us to believe it relates to Britain's exit from the European Union.
"We'll continue to monitor this situation extremely closely and have circulated advice to rail operators and indeed Network Rail."
BTP has asked anyone with information to come forward.