Media centre

Thursday 27 Oct 2005

HUMAN SCARECROWS FRIGHTEN OFF RAIL VANDALS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Several human scarecrows have been employed by Network Rail to act as a deterrent to railway trespassers and vandals during the half term holiday in the West Country. Andy Hancock, Network Rail’s General Manager for the area, said: “We have positioned the scarecrows throughout the West Country at particular railway crime hotspots.   Previous incidents at these locations range from throwing stones at trains, leaving objects on the line to trespassing on the railway, all of which could lead to serious consequences.” Since the ‘scarecrows’ have been in place, a number of young people have been warned of the dangers of playing in and around the railway in the Weston-Super-Mare area and the Stapleton Road area in Bristol.  They have also acted as a deterrent in Oldfield Park in Bath and at Keyham Station in the Plymouth. Based on the premise that many young people are tempted to play on tracks because they are bored and have nothing else to do with their time, Network Rail has also developed a ‘No Messin’!’ campaign to encourage a diversion from unsafe activities, rather than trying to change behaviour through shock tactics.  Andy adds: “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 half term.