School summer holidays are here. Train operators and police are urging parents to make sure their children know about the dangers of playing on the railway. See more at the BTP website.
For a video of what danger can mean when crossing train tracks visit the BTP website.
British Transport Police (BTP) report that they are increasing patrols across the rail network during the summer holidays to deter children and young people from trespassing on the tracks and catch anyone in the act.
To crack down on route crime offences such as stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and lineside vandalism, BTP officers will target hotspot locations during the holiday period. Patrols will be increased throughout the holidays and CCTV will also be monitored at stations and around the rail network. Chief Inspector of Operations Derek O’Mara said: “I cannot overstate just how dangerous trespassing on the railway is. Trains can approach quietly and, if you are trespassing, often when you do hear an approaching train it can be too late to move out of the way. It can take up to the length of 20 football pitches for a train to stop.
“This is not about stopping children having fun – it is about keeping them safe from harm.
“Our officers are all too often called to incidents where youngsters have been injured, and in some cases killed, because they were messing about on or near the railway. We do not want to have to tell any family that their child will not be coming home.”
– See more at: http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/stay_off_the_tracks.aspx#sthash.EiLbBwKk.dpuf
Example
For example four youths were stopped by BTP on the line between Bungalow Lane crossing and Whitlingham footbridge around 7pm on Wednesday, July 24, after responding to an incident of trespass close to the station. Trains were placed on caution following the report, and the youths, three aged 15 and one aged 14, were found running on the tracks with a train approaching from behind.
Sergeant Andy Cook, based at Norwich station, said: “We believe the youths were using the track here as a shortcut to access the lake and River Yare.
“During the holidays we traditionally see an increase these types of offences on the railway. We are hoping that by targeting hot spot areas and highlighting the dangers of trespassing in an inherently dangerous environment, that we will deter the majority of youngsters from playing or hanging around on the region’s railway.
“We are also asking parents and adults to take responsibility and emphasise the dangers to your children, and if you live near the railway, ask yourself if you know where your children are playing?
“This is not about stopping children having fun – it is about keeping them safe from harm. In this instance the youths were not aware of the train approaching behind or the danger that they had placed themselves in.
“We are working closely with colleagues from Norfolk Constabulary and Network Rail to crack down on this mindless behaviour before it’s too late.”
Eliska Burrows, Network Rail general manager, said: “Trespassing is extremely dangerous and can have tragic consequences for those involved. Trains travelling at speed take a long time to stop and anyone struck by one is likely to be killed or very badly injured.
“We take trespass on our infrastructure extremely seriously and work closely with British Transport Police to educate the public on the dangers of misusing the railway and to stop those who are determined to trespass.”
