Two men will appear before a court next month on dozens of counts of criminal damage in connection with a graffiti spree targeting trains in Northern Ireland.
The charges follow what the PSNI described as a “time-intensive” investigation, with a warning from a senior officer that these type of activities will not be ignored.
A 35-year-old was charged with 40 counts of criminal damage, two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and one count of trespassing near a railway.
He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on September 18.
The 24-year-old man was charged with 38 counts of criminal damage. He is due to appear in the same Belfast court on September 26.
In an earlier statement following the arrests of the two men, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, of the PSNI’s operational support department, described the investigation as “complex and time-intensive investigation, in which we have been working closely with various partner agencies to make these arrests”.
“If those involved in this type of offence believe their criminal activities will be ignored, this is a clear example that police will thoroughly investigate this type of offence,” he warned.
“Criminal damage such as the graffiti of train carriages causes a significant monetary loss in cleaning the trains, which impacts the numerous rail users who are dependent on this mode of transport as these carriages are removed from service.”
Translink’s Hilton Parr, interim head of rail operations, said: “We condemn any form of anti-social behaviour.
“We have a close working partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we welcome this outcome.”
Chief Superintendent Donaldson added: “We are committed to tackling this kind of crime and would remind everyone to play their part.
“If you see something suspicious, report it to police as this information provided can help us apprehend criminals and bring them before the court.”
