Rail trespass on the rise
An urgent warning is being issued to young people across the area as figures show trespass on railway lines is on the rise.
In the past year, there has been a 19 per cent rise in the number of reports of trespass over the summer in Wales, with local reports on the up.
Longer evenings, coupled with the start of the holidays, spell danger for Britain’s youth as statistics show young people are twice as likely to trespass at this time of year than in the winter.
This summer, British Transport Police and Network Rail are urging parents in the Welshpool area to warn their children of the dangers of playing on the tracks.
Over the past 10 years, almost 170 young people in the UK have lost their lives after trespassing on the railway. The data shows that just under half of those killed are under the age of 25.
Tracey Young, community safety manager for Network Rail Wales, explains: “We are urging parents to remind their children that if they are on the railway, they are on dangerous ground. It may seem like a good idea to take a shortcut, or like fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also dangerous.
“Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks. As the railway gets busier and we electrify more lines to improve services, we must work harder to keep young people safe by making them aware of the dangers that exist. Taking a short cut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death.”
In response to the seasonal surge in incidents, officers from British Transport Police are stepping up patrols across the area.
Inspector Mike Edwards, who is responsible for BTP’s response to trespass in Wales, said: “The last thing our officers want to do is knock on someone’s door to tell a parent their child has been killed or seriously injured as a result of trespassing.”
To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/information-for-parents/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|