Police crackdown on railway crime as summer holidays arrive

During school holidays, and with the onset of warmer weather and longer nights, BTP see a rise in children and young people trespassing on the tracks, and officers are worried that someone will get seriously injured or killed.

The force is 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.

As well as trespassing, ‘route crime’ offences such as stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and lineside vandalism,are also being targeted.

BTP Chief Inspector of Operations Derek O’Mara said: During the holidays we traditionally see an increase in offences on the railway. We are hoping that by targeting hot spot areas and through the education work we have already done, we will reduce the number of incidents this summer and deter the majority of youngsters from playing of hanging around on the railways.

“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. BTP 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 and we do not want to have to tell any family that their son or daughter will not be coming home. “

Police would like to identify the man pictured above after he was caught on camera trespassing on the tracks near Horbury signal box in Wakefield at around 1.15pm on Tuesday July 9.

Anyone with information should call BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or via text on 61016, quoting background number B11/NEA of 19 /07/2013.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.