AN investigation has been launched by police following ‘malicious obstruction’ of the railway near Newton Abbot Station.

British Transport Police (BTP) have confirmed that over the past three weeks there have been several incidents of ‘malicious obstruction’ of the towns rail line.

‘BTP are investigating a series of incidents of malicious obstruction of the railway in Newton Abbot over the past three weeks’ a spokesperson for BTP said.

‘Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 2400140855’ the spokesperson added.

A passenger aboard a train approaching Newton Abbot from Exeter on Sunday, November 10, told the Mid-Devon Advertiser that it was forced to perform an emergency stop as the train in front had hit something on the line.

It was thought to be concrete blocks, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands, but this is not clear.