Monday 30 Mar 2009
DONCASTER KNIGHTS TACKLE RAILWAY CRIME
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Doncaster Knights had more than winning on their minds during their match against Mosley this Saturday as Network Rail launched its safety campaign in Yorkshire for 2009.
No Messin' is an award-winning campaign run each year by Network Rail to encourage young people to find safe, fun alternatives to messing about on the railway. Crime committed by young people increases during the school holidays - hence the decision to target the match just before Easter.
More than 60 crimes have been reported on the railway around Doncaster in the past year. For example, in February trains were delayed at Moat Hills near Doncaster after children were reported running along the line and in January a woman was seen walking down the tracks in Marshgate with three children.
Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail, said: "We always see an increase in rail crime with the light evenings when young people are more likely to be out and about looking for something to do. Partnerships like this one with Doncaster Knights give us an excellent opportunity to get the message across that the railways are a dangerous place if you are not supposed to be there whilst also offering something much more fun to do."
The rugby club and DIRECT (Doncaster Inclusive Rugby Education Community Trust) are keen supporters of Network Rail’s award-winning No Messin’ campaign. £20,000 sponsorship from Network Rail has received sports matched funding and helps to pay for staff who work with schools in Doncaster to spread the safety message. To reflect this, local schools competed in a tag rugby tournament before the Knights match - with winners Pheasant Bank Junior School receiving their medals from Iain Coucher at half time.
Network Rail also brought a range of free activities to the ground, which were available during the match. These included the chance of one-to-one coaching from the Knights professional team and football freestyler Colin Nell.
Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP is a supporter of the No Messin' campaign. She said; "I am pleased so many schools supported this event, which was a lot of fun and also sends out an important message to help keep young people safe and off the railway tracks."
To learn more about Network Rail’s No Messin' campaign and watch video interviews with Knights players Neil Cochrane and Chris Hughes visit http://www.no-messin.com/videos/
Notes to editors
The schools involved were: Armthorpe Southfield Primary School Armthorpe Tranmoor Primary School Shaw Wood Primary School Pheasant Bank Junior School Conisbrough Station Road Primary School Denaby Main Primary School Mexborough Montagu Junior School Rossington St Michael’s Church of England Primary School Every year dozens of people are killed or seriously injured on the railway by taking short cuts or even using the track as a guide home. However, as it is impossible to capture every incident, the true number is estimated to be much higher, running into the 1000s each year. Facts Half of all ‘near misses’ involve children Dangers - Did You Know…? - Trains travel at up to 125mph and can take the length of 20 rugby pitches to stop! If you get hit by a train, there will only be one winner Penalties - Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence, which carries a fine of up to £1,000. A Putting objects on the tracks (like rocks or shopping trolleys) could cause a train accident which may hurt or kill other people. If you do this, then you can be prosecuted. The maximum penalty for causing a train accident is life imprisonment. If a child is charged with causing a train accident, then a parent/guardian may be prosecuted.. Graffiti is also a serious crime which can result in a prison sentence. If you are caught trespassing or vandalising on the railway, then you will be prosecuted.Contact information
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