Media centre

Monday 14 Mar 2005

KIDS NEED TO WRESTLE WITH THEIR CONSCIENCES

Region & Route:

National

DJ Spoony of BBC Radio 1 and Five Live fame, today teams up with Network Rail and the British Wrestling Association to encourage children and young people to focus on sport and activities rather than playing on railway tracks. This morning will see the national launch of the 2005 campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of rail crime and will involve DJ Spoony turning his hand to wrestling. This is part of Network Rail’s ‘No Messin’!’ campaign, which aims to educate young people on the dangers of the railway while suggesting alternative healthy, fun activities. Speaking at the launch, DJ Spoony said “All kids want to have fun, but the railway isn't a safe place to play. Electrified lines and fast trains steaming down the track are just some of the deadly dangers that’ll cut your life short. There are many better ways for kids to spend their time and I'm more than happy to support a campaign that aims to keep young people safe and out of danger.” Iain Coucher, Network Rail’s Deputy Chief Executive, added “Last year 34 people died on railway tracks – that’s 34 too many. Each one represents a tragic story of ignoring all the warnings that the railway is not a place to hang around, use as a short-cut or play on. The school holidays, especially Easter and summer, are a time when such incidents are on the rise and we need to hammer home the railway safety message in an effort to prevent further tragedies.” There are an estimated 27 million cases of trespass on Britain’s railways every year, including 640,000 objects placed on the tracks and four million objects thrown at trains.  Young people commit many of these crimes; so with Easter holidays fast approaching, it is vital Network Rail spreads the message that their actions can cause injury and death – not only to themselves but to others too. Iain Coucher continued: “As the infrastructure owner, we have a responsibility to spread the message that the railway can be a dangerous place.  You wouldn’t try to use a motorway as a short cut or a place to hang out – so why the railway?  Our message is clear: No Messin’.” A team of qualified coaches from the British Wrestling Association will now tour the country offering wrestling sessions to children and young people in rail crime ‘hotspot’ areas – spreading the No Messin’ message. This national launch marks the beginning of a year long programme of events, concentrated in hotspot areas – such as Kent, Cardiff and Manchester. These will include school visits, after-school clubs, Football in the Community and safety days. Photographs from the Victoria Station launch will be available from the Network Rail Media Relations team from tomorrow. Upcoming ‘No Messin’! events include: 15th March: Tamworth Snow dome, 150 local school children will be taken on a free visit to the ice rink. 19th March: Safety event at Watford FC. 21st March: Glasgow Transport Museum, activity visit of children from three local primary schools.