RAIL police are appealing for information to find three youths after Christmas fairy lights were thrown onto the railway line in Bingley.

The incident occurred at around 6.25pm on Saturday, December 23, when the lights were thrown from the overbridge in Leonard Street onto the overhead wires above the railway line. This caused two very loud bangs.

Three youths were then seen running from the scene, British Transport police have said.

Trains on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines were stopped which caused long delays and cost the train operators thousands of pounds.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary in the area around the time of the offence.

Investigating officer, PC Dave Bentley, said: “Obstructions on the railway line can have very serious consequences, as well as causing long delays to services.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that despite repeated warnings about the dangers of the railway, trespassing and causing obstructions, people continue to put themselves and others at risk.”

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting 444 of December 23.