The dangers involved in railway crime

There are many dangers involved in railway crime, with the most obvious being death. There are different risks involved in the different types of route crime, which aren't always immediately obvious.

Taking a short cut
Too many people have been maimed or badly scarred because they thought they could just nip across the tracks to get to work, to school, to the corner shop or to take the dog for a walk.

Even if you think there's nothing coming, trains can't stop as quickly as a car - and you'd be surprised how hard they are to hear.

Playing on the line
Railway tracks are not playgrounds, places to play 'chicken' or somewhere to have fun. Every year, too many children spend their summer holidays in hospital seriously injured after they've been hit on the railway. Some don't get that far and end up being killed.

Child in fence Where are your children?
Young children who wander off and get tempted to play on or near the line are a huge danger on the railways.

Please make sure you know where your children are at all times, especially during the evenings and school holidays and help us keep them safe.

Deliberate vandalism
Dangling things in front of a train, putting objects on the track, throwing things at trains are all done, sometimes by children as young as five. It doesn't just put the lives of people on the train at risk.

The vandals are putting themselves in danger too - some tracks have overhead cables carrying 25,000 volts, so dangling a metal chain or pole over them is not a good idea.

Damaging fencing
Fencing along the railway line is there to protect young and old from stumbling onto the tracks accidentally, to keep vandals away and to ensure animals don't stray onto the line. If it is damaged it puts people at risk.

Dumping rubbish
Dumped rubbish costs money to remove, puts ammunition into the hands of vandals and could derail a train.

Ignoring the rules at level crossings
Every year, motorists are killed or seriously injured by ignoring warning lights at level crossings.

The rules are there to protect you and others. Don't try to jump the lights! Click here for further information.