Media centre

Monday 9 Aug 2004

“CHILDREN MUST STOP RISKING THEIR LIVES PLAYING ON THE RAILWAY”, WARNS NETWORK RAIL

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

The school summer holidays are underway and once again crime on the railway has increased – most of it committed by children and young people.  Nancy Garcia, Network Rail’s Route Crime Manager for South Wales, said: “With long days and light evenings, it’s easy to understand why children want to play outside – but it’s hard to understand why some risk their lives playing on dangerous railway tracks.  “As well as the risk of being hit by a train, there is the risk of electrocution from live rails or overhead lines.  Previous tragedies have shown that children and young people do not survive these massive electric shocks.   “We implore parents and guardians to make sure their children understand the dangers of playing on the tracks. We don’t want any child to die as a result of playing on the railway this summer.” Everyday the British Transport Police record hundreds of crimes on Britain’s railways, which cost more than £250m a year in criminal damage and delays to passengers.             Network Rail takes its responsibility as railway infrastructure owner very seriously and sponsors many events to highlight railway safety.  -more- Summer - 2 In South Wales this year, Network Rail has been involved in: £5,000 sponsorship of Swansea Youth Action Partnership, supporting the continuing development of a community safety & citizenship programme for young people in Swansea; £7,500 sponsorship of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, providing cricket coaching and an invitation to experience an educational tour of the ground to targeted schools in the area; £20,000 sponsorship of Cardiff City Football Club offering holiday clubs and curriculum time coaching in targeted schools in the area; and targeted school visits.  Network Rail also works closely with the British Transport Police in the area.