Network Rail has warned people in the East Midlands about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

Twenty-four incidents have been recorded in the East Midlands since lockdown began on Monday 23rd March 2020.

Trespassers have been spotted on lines across the region, including in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottingham:

• Two adults with a child pushing bikes along the railway line.
• Three teenagers were hanging around between two lines.
• A man ran across the railway line in front of a train.
• Three children were walking on the tracks.
• Member of the public wearing headphones ran in front of a train, meaning the driver had to apply the emergency brakes.

Network Rail has released trespass resources for children, teenagers and adults regarding the dangers of trespassing on the railway:

• Resources for adults – https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/trespass-campaigns
• Resources for teenagers – Network Rail and British Transport Police run a hard-hitting safety campaign, You Vs Train, which highlights the devasting consequences of trespassing on the railway – http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/.
• Resources for primary school children – https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/educational-resources-for-children

What did the officials say?

Dawn Sweeting, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail, said:

“These trespass incidents in the East Midlands are shocking, and show many people are oblivious to the dangers they are putting themselves, their friends or their loved ones in.

“It’s never safe to hang around on the railway or use it to take shortcuts, but sadly too many people ignore the warning signs and take risks that have resulted in tragic consequences.

“We’ve seen a worrying number of incidents at a time when people should be following Government guidelines and staying at home where possible. We are urging people to stay safe and stay off the tracks.”

Superintendent Alison Evans, British Transport Police, said:

“Your safety is our number one priority, and we are continuing to proactively patrol the thousands of miles of railway across the country.

“The railway is an extremely hazardous place, and trespass incidents like these can quite easily lead to death or catastrophic injuries.

“I’d urge parents and carers who live in the area to check where their children are playing and speak to them about the risks of the railway, so they understand that everyone loses when they step on the track.”

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