Arriva Trains Wales | SAFETY ROADSHOW URGES KIDS TO STAY OFF THE TRACKS

SAFETY ROADSHOW URGES KIDS TO STAY OFF THE TRACKS

Youngsters in Swansea, Caerphilly and Cardiff have been given the opportunity to learn about the dangers of playing on railway lines following the visit of a safety road-show at each railway station.

Trespassers on track The road-shows organised by Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales and British Transport Police (BTP) were intended as a reminder to children of the dangers of playing on railway tracks.

During the road-shows, children took part in interactive quizzes and watched real life stories of incidents involving young people that had resulted in death or serious injury.

Speaking on behalf of the partnership, Police Community Support Officer Andrew Rowllingson, said: “The road-shows form part of our on-going work to deter young people from playing and trespassing on railway lines.”

He continued: “They often use the railway to take short-cuts and more recently, we have become aware of children in Briton Ferry playing chicken because they think they've got nothing else to do. Our aim is to demonstrate the very real life changing risks they are taking and the effect an incident could have on them, their families and the wider community.”

Across the UK during 2007, more than 11000 incidents of trespass were reported with 50 people killed. Statistics illustrate that the most common age group for trespass are young people between the ages of 12 and 17.

In January 2008, a train with more than 60 people on board was partially de-railed at Llanbradach after an obstruction was placed on the line

Incidents of trespass can be reported to the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or for non emergencies, the Neighbourhood Policing Team can be emailed at neighbourhoodteams-wales@btp.pnn.police.uk

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