Life-saving campaign launched as new figures reveal railway trespass on the south western rail network has more than doubled in five years: You vs Train

Wednesday 18 Jul 2018

Life-saving campaign launched as new figures reveal railway trespass on the south western rail network has more than doubled in five years

Region & Route:
Southern: Wessex
| Southern

Alarming new figures reveal the number of people trespassing on the railway has more than doubled across the south western rail network in the last five years.

Since 2013, the number of reported trespass incidents in the region has risen sharply from 338 to 778.

The shocking findings from a new study by Network Rail also show that nationally, more than a quarter of teenagers (27%) confess to behaving in a way that could endanger their life on the railway. One in 10 teenagers admitted to walking along the railway line - more than two fifths of those (42%) in the last year¹.

The number of young people taking risks on the railway track has gone up by almost 80 per cent nationally in the last five years². In the last 12 months alone, seven young people under the age of 18 have lost their lives and a further 48 people have received life changing injuries.

Link to Tom's film here

As a result the rail industry and the British Transport Police have launched a new campaign - called ‘You Vs Train’ - which targets teenagers to make them face the serious and devastating consequences for them and their loved ones when they make the potentially life-changing decision to ignore warnings and go onto the railway, with its obvious and hidden dangers.

At the heart of the You Vs Train campaign is the story of Tom Hubbard – a young boy who suffered life-changing injuries in 2014 when he was electrocuted by the overhead power cables. Tom suffered third degree burns across 57% of his body and he has been left to deal with the serious physical and psychological consequences ever since.

Tom explains: “I woke up 11 days later in the burns unit at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital wrapped from head to toe in bandages, heavily medicated and unable to string a sentence together. I don’t think I knew what was real and what wasn’t. When the doctors and my mum came to speak to me a few days later, the enormity of what had happened finally hit me. They explained how lucky I was to be alive, but it was going to be a long road to recovery.

“Four years on I’m still affected by the events of that day and every time I look in the mirror I’m reminded by that one decision to go on the railway. The accident has made me more of an introvert and cautious of trying new things, often opting to stay in during the day to avoid people and wear hoodies and long-sleeved tops to hide my scars, even on hot days”

The lack of knowledge about the potential dangers seems to be why children choose the tracks as a good place to take risks³, with only a third (37%) believing that the railway is extremely dangerous.

Just under a third (31%) don’t believe that severe burns as a result of electrocution or electrocution by the overhead wires (31%) are risks you might face if you go on the railway tracks

15% think that it’s safe to walk on the railway track if you check a timetable to make sure there are no trains coming

Almost a fifth (17%) think that getting a dropped/lost item (e.g. phone or football) from the railway track is relatively safe as long as you leave again straight away

The new data also highlights some worrying seasonal peaks in the number of incidents, with the summer holidays seeing more than double the number of young risk takers, compared to the winter months⁴.

David Smith, head of safety for Network Rail's Wessex route, explains: “The rising number of young people trespassing on our rail network is a huge concern to us.

 “We work very closely with the British Transport Police, local authorities and train operating companies to educate young people on the dangers of trespassing on the railway, but these numbers continue to rise.

“Tom has bravely told his story to show the consequences that trespassing on the railway had on him and his family, and we hope this will have an impact on those who might consider trespassing on railway infrastructure.”

A short film re-enacting Tom’s story will be launched across social media and shown in cinemas throughout the summer. Tom’s family will also feature in the campaign to show how Tom’s accident has impacted them. To view the film click here.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith said: “We hope that by sharing Tom’s story, young people who might have previously considered trespassing on the railways will think twice.

“We want his story to be heard – the tracks are not a playground. They’re incredibly dangerous and, as Tom’s story shows, can easily result in serious injury or worse.

“We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks, and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines. Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well. This campaign is not just for our young people but also their friends and family.”

The rail industry is also working together to roll out a new schools engagement programme, where community engagement managers from across Network Rail, British Transport Police (BTP) and Train Operating Companies will be out teaching thousands of children about railway safety. BTP officers will also be stepping-up patrols across the country.

To watch Tom’s video and find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit:  www.YouVsTrain.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Interviews, imagery and video footage available on request.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - James Crook
Senior Media Relations Manager
Network Rail
07732 644202
james.crook@networkrail.co.uk

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