Half-term crackdown on railway crime

5:12pm Friday 23rd May 2008

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HIGH Wycombe has been identified as a hotspot for rail crime.

Network Rail says the number of trespass and vandalism incidents in the area runs into the thousands each year.

And the railway company has stepped up its campaign to teach youngsters about the dangers of messing about on the track ahead of this week's half-term holiday.

Objects including furniture and wheelie bins have been left on the railway, with youngsters also being caught throwing stones at moving trains.

Network Rail's No Messin' campaign says one in four fatalities on railway lines in the last five years was of someone aged eight to 18.

Many of the fatalities were caused by people trespassing onto the track.

Martin Gallagher, Network Rail's National Rail Crime Education Manager said: "During the summer and school holidays we always see an increase in rail crime with the light evenings and kids looking for something to fill their free time.

"Our campaign tries to make people think twice about what they're doing and hopefully save lives."