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Tuesday 20 May 2025

Almost 900 children learning railway safety amid rise in trespass incidents

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Record numbers are attending Leeds Station Safety Week with 888 children learn vital railway safety skills.

Alarming new data shows 510 dangerous railway trespassing incidents involving young people across Network Rail's North & East route since April 2024, with Leeds accounting for nearly half of these.*

The figures highlight a concerning pattern of risk-taking behaviour, with an average of more than one incident per day putting young lives in danger across the region's railway network.

Now in its eighth year, the safety week by Network Rail, in partnership with train operators and British Transport Police has expanded beyond West Yorkshire for the first time, welcoming schools from Barnsley, Selby and Harrogate as well as those based in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield.

Nineteen schools are participating in the hands-on safety education at Leeds station, designed to tackle the root causes of dangerous railway behaviour.

Students visit five interactive stations designed to deliver crucial safety messages. These include taking a ride in LNER’s train simulator, exploring a Northern train – with access to the driver’s cab – and learning vital rail safety with a joint demonstration from Network Rail and TransPennine Express.

CrossCountry colleagues are leading a train manager activity where students learn what equipment is used to keep passengers safe on board.

British Transport Police are delivering sessions, warning of trespassing dangers with an informative drone demonstration – and they brought a police dog along on Tuesday afternoon for the students to meet.

The event was supported by Leeds Rhinos, adding an exciting dimension to the safety education programme.

Chloe Creffield, community safety manager for Network Rail’s North and East route, said: “Leeds Station Safety Week marks an incredible achievement for railway safety education in our region. Seeing nearly 900 Year 6 students actively engaging with these vital safety lessons and gaining more understanding of the risks of the railway is truly inspiring.

"By bringing the railway environment to life through these interactive sessions, we're equipping young people with knowledge to make informed choices that keep them safe and potentially save lives.”

Click play to listen to Chloe talking us through Leeds Station Safety Week:

A spokesperson on behalf of LNER, Northern, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express added: “We’re proud to collaborate on this essential initiative to raise awareness on the potential dangers of the railway. The enthusiasm shown by the students and their willingness to learn about railway safety gives us confidence that these important messages will stay with them for years to come.”

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we have seen too many times the tragic and life-changing consequences of young people going trackside. Sadly, some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play and don’t consider just how dangerous the tracks can be. Working with our partners is essential in ensuring the education of trackside dangers are shared. We hope these sessions will create conversations with the students at home, school and among peer groups.”

CCTV footage from Bramley, Leeds, highlighting why Leeds Station Safety Week is important:

For more information on Network Rail’s safety education resources, please visit: Safety education - Network Rail.