After two devices, intended to disrupt signals, were planted on railway lines on 21 and 27 March, police are investigating the pro-Brexit attempt at sabotage. One of the “malicious obstructions” was found on a track close to Yaxley in Cambridgeshire, while the second was discovered at Netherfield, Nottinghamshire.

As reported by the Daily Mail, one of the devices bore a printed slogan relating to "Government betrayal" followed by the popular Leaver slogan, "Leave means leave.” The second threatened to bring the country “to its knees” if Britain didn’t leave the EU.

Both slogans were printed, and not handwritten.

‘Serious attempt’ to disrupt rail network

Neither device was explosive or would cause any loss of life or permanent damage. However, police say both were intended to cause disruption to the rail service. Fortunately, both were found before any services were disrupted and police are seeking the offenders before they try anything else, or possibly injure themselves.

British Transport Police Assistant chief constable Sean O’Callaghan said in a statement that the devices were placed in a “serious and deliberate attempt” to cause disruption to the rail network and was “significant sabotage.”

The Guardian quotes O’Callaghan as saying police are urgently investigating the two incidents and are working very closely with the rail industry and other national partners.

He stressed that these acts were only intended to delay services and not to cause any damage and on both occasions, their attempts failed. O’Callaghan pointed out that the railway has several safeguards in place in order to detect and prevent this kind of sabotage and police are tirelessly working to identify the culprits.

Culprits put lives at risk to place devices on train tracks

O’Callaghan went on to say they are “keeping an open mind” as to why anyone would want to put their lives at risk placing devices on a live railway line. Their early assessment leads police to believe the incidents relate to Brexit [VIDEO]. Police are continuing to monitor the situation and have shared advice on the incidents with rail operators and Network Rail and senior detectives are investigating.

Forensic officers are examining the devices for clues as to who placed them.

Reportedly whoever planted the devices knew about the rail system and how to disrupt the circuitry on the tracks. Police believe the culprits could be involved in the rail industry in some way. If not discovered in time and if the rail system was affected, the devices would have required a manual search on the railway tracks which potentially could have led to many hours of delay to both freight and passengers. The Daily Mail notes the devices were planted shortly before the pro-Brexit protests were held.

The Guardian reports that senior police and those in law enforcement are worried about the potential disorder when Britain does leave the EU. While those in the government involved in the Brexit process were immediately informed of the discovery, the news didn’t get to the public until journalists, who had seen photos of the devices on social media, contacted the police.
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