Stay off the tracks. That’s the call from British Transport Police.
Traditionally, with the arrival of the school summer holidays comes an upturn in the number of trespass incidents BTP has to deal with – as well as an increase in other forms of route crime such as stone throwing and objects being placed on the line.
This summer, BTP says that it’s taking a proactive approach to the problem by talking to potential troublemakers before the problem becomes too serious.
Sergeant Darren Fawcett said: “We have already seen a slight increase in the number of route crime offences in East Lancashire – particularly around Blackburn, Darwen and Mill Hill – with youngsters running across the tracks to gain access to platforms.
“To combat this we have been out to several schools in the area in a bid to educate the children and show them the danger of their irresponsible actions.
“This work will continue throughout the summer holidays as our officers will be out and about across the area, patrolling stations and on trains and will be speaking to young people about the dangers of the railway.
“Sadly, in other parts of the north west, we have already seen fatalities as a result of people trespassing and neither I, nor any other officer, wants to have to tell another family that their son or daughter won’t be coming home.”
Sgt Fawcett added: “The railway is a inherently dangerous environment and should never be treated otherwise.
“It is certainly not a playground and those who fail to heed the warnings and advice can expect to find themselves being prosecuted.
“Stay safe, stay off the tracks.”
