Railways are the arteries of national transportation, carrying millions of passengers and tonnes of goods daily. Yet, they are increasingly vulnerable to theft, vandalism, trespass, and sabotage — often occurring in remote or unmonitored areas.
Traditional wired security systems are costly and difficult to install across long stretches of track or in isolated depots. That’s where modular, wireless alarm systems step in — offering flexibility, speed, and reliability.
According to the Network Rail media centre, there were more than 19,300 trespass incidents on the UK rail network in the 2023/24 financial year — roughly one every half hour Network Rail states that vandalism (such as graffiti, cable theft, damage to fences/tracks) and trespass “are reckless and cause delays” to rail operations.
As the network expands and more assets are installed in remote, unmanned locations, traditional wired security systems often fall short. The rail sector is now turning to modular, wireless alarm systems that offer both flexibility and reliability across challenging environments.
Circle Alarms are a comprehensive suite of wireless alarm solutions designed specifically for large-scale and critical infrastructure applications — including railways.
The system’s modular design enables rapid installation without mains power or cabling, making it ideal for remote lineside assets, depots, signal huts, and construction compounds.
Circle Alarm Box: Central control hub supporting up to 100 wireless sensors, with LTE connectivity and 14-day battery autonomy (extendable via solar).
Alarm Beam: Dual-beam infrared unit providing 30 m coverage and a two-year battery life.
Alarm Post: Compact camera-based sensor detecting intrusions up to 15 m, designed for quick deployment.
Alarm Cam: High-definition visual verification with live streaming and GPS tracking.
Alarm Tower: Fully integrated, solar-powered tower capable of securing an entire site for months at a time.
Each device communicates within the Circle ecosystem, forming a cohesive, intelligent network that can be scaled to any railway environment
Rail infrastructure often spans isolated, power-limited areas. Circle Alarms’ wireless units can be installed in minutes — no trenching, cabling, or permanent structures required. This reduces both installation time and disruption to live rail operations.
LTE connectivity and mobile app integration ensure live alerts, video feeds, and health status updates are instantly available to security teams, improving response times and situational awareness.
The combination of motion sensors, beams, and cameras allows for event verification — distinguishing real intrusions from false alarms. This supports more efficient coordination with British Transport Police and other response units.
Battery lifespans of up to two years and solar recharging options make these systems self-sufficient and environmentally friendly. They remain operational even during power outages, enhancing resilience across the network.
Whether it’s overnight maintenance or long-term construction projects, Circle Alarms’ portability enables temporary setups that can easily move between sites, maintaining consistent protection standards.
Railways are at the heart of national connectivity — and their protection demands systems that evolve with modern threats.
Circle Alarms demonstrates how smart, wireless technology can deliver scalable, sustainable security for complex transport infrastructure.
As the rail industry embraces digital transformation and remote monitoring, intelligent alarm ecosystems like Circle’s are set to become a cornerstone of future railway resilience — safeguarding assets, workers, and the public alike.