Media centre

Monday 6 Apr 2009

ESSEX YOUNGSTERS DOMINATE RAIL CRIME ‘HALL OF SHAME’

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

- New figures reveal how young people in Essex continue to risk their lives by trespassing and vandalising the railway

Young people in Essex were responsible for almost three-quarters of all railway crime in East Anglia last year, with eight of the region’s top ten railway crime hotspots falling inside the county’s borders.

Today, as the Easter holidays begin, Network Rail launches its annual No Messin’ campaign to reduce railway crime and promote positive activities for young people. The campaign is fronted by boxing champion Amir Khan.

Taking short cuts, playing alongside the tracks, throwing objects at trains, placing obstructions on the line, and spraying graffiti on railway bridges, fencing and buildings, were all crimes committed by young people in 2008. The most shocking instances include:

• dropping mattresses, computers and televisions from bridges to hit trains passing below
• throwing golf balls, stones and even bricks at trains
• playing ‘chicken’ with trains travelling at speeds of up to 100mph

Network Rail has today released two ‘video nasties’ caught on film in Essex, including a trespassing child narrowly avoiding being hit by a train at Rochford and a group of youths pelting a train with stones at Walton-on-the-Naze.

Despite these disturbing incidents, the No Messin’ campaign, now in its fourth year is seeing some significant successes. Nationwide, reported trespass and vandalism crimes are down around 13% on 2007, and in the 100 locations specifically targeted by Network Rail in the past year, crime is down 30%.

Amir Khan spoke of his continued support for the campaign: “No Messin' is great because, instead of just lecturing kids, it gives them the chance to get involved with something new for free. Once they’re interested and can see the alternatives that are out there, they’re much more likely to pay attention to the rail safety message.

“Young people need to know that messing about on the tracks is not what earns them respect. The young kids that I see in my community gym are learning a real skill in boxing, making friends and keeping out of trouble. I want young people to take a chance and try something new at a No Messin’ Live! event, rather than on the railway, where all they’ll be doing is chancing their lives.”

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive said: “We’re seeing some real success in bringing down the levels of railway crime in hotspot areas, but there is much more work to be done to save lives and prevent needless injury. We are working hard to tackle the most dangerous crimes where young people think it is fun to play ‘chicken’ with a 200 tonne train going at 100mph or place objects on the line, which could have catastrophic consequences.

“Over the spring and summer we will once again be taking our No Messin’ campaign on tour to get young people involved in more exciting and fun stuff. That includes sports such as football and boxing, but also things they might never have tried before like archery, motorcycling and street dance. Once the events are over we continue to work with local clubs to sustain that interest and develop their skills and keep them off the tracks for good.”

Wendy Smith’s son Ricky was just 15 when he was struck by a train near Leeds at Easter in 1997. Ricky and his friend were killed and a third boy narrowly avoided injury. Wendy said: “It’s always difficult talking about what happened but it needs to be done. If we can stop another child being killed and another family facing the heartache we are still going through, then it’s worth it.

“Network Rail is really working hard to show kids that there’s more to life than hanging about on the railway tracks and I’m really pleased to be able to do my bit to help with that. My message is really simple – no matter how bored you are or how much your mates are saying it’s ok, do NOT go onto the railway tracks. Your life is more important than what your mates think.”

British Transport Police deputy chief constable Andy Trotter said: “BTP welcomes the news that crime is down in the areas targeted by Network Rail. While the figures represent good progress, we are not going to be complacent and we will continue to work closely with our partners to reduce crime even further.

“Our officers work tirelessly alongside Network Rail to educate youngsters that the railway is no playground and that those who gain access to prohibited parts of the railway are putting their lives at risk.”

Network Rail’s dedicated community safety team is working with local police, sports clubs, schools and community groups across the country over the two-week Easter school holidays to raise awareness of the dangers of taking risks on the tracks and get young people involved in more fun activities. These range from community payback schemes, where those convicted of trespass crimes and spraying graffiti, are made to clean up their mess under supervision, to running kids football training sessions with professional clubs such as Wycombe Wanderers.

In addition, a series of No Messin’ Live! events, where a host of free sports, arts and dance activities are available to kids aged 9-16 will take place this Easter and across the summer holidays. Visit www.no-messin.com for dates and locations.

Later today, Network Rail will hold an event to announce its partnership with Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club. This partnership is part of the rail company’s strategy to help reduce youth crime in London by actively engaging young people in positive activities.