Public urged to stay off Leicestershire rail tracks after dangerous incidents

The warning came from Network Rail, which says offenders are putting others at risk as well as themselves.

In Leicestershire, Nottingham and Derbyshire, 24 dangerous incidents have been recorded since March 23, including two adults with a child pushing bikes along a railway line, three teenagers hanging around between two lines and a man running across a track in front of a train.

Other reports included three children walking on tracks. and a member of the public wearing headphones who ran in front of a train causing the driver to apply the emergency brakes.

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.”

Supt Alison Evans, of 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.”

Trespassing on tracks is illegal and over one third of the incidents recorded since lockdown in the East Midlands involve children or young people. Network Rail’s team of community safety managers visit schools across the region and engage with communities to raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing, but in the current situation many events have been cancelled.

As well as other hidden dangers on the tracks, a deadly 25,000 volts run through the overhead wires, which are used to power some trains.

This equipment is always on, even when there are no trains around.

Nine out of ten people who come into contact with the overhead cables die, and the remainder suffer life-changing injuries.

Online resources related to the dangers of trespassing on tracks:

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.