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Friday 19 Aug 2005

LIFT- OFF FOR FIGHT AGAINST RAILWAY CRIME

Region & Route:

| Southern

Ten-year-old Carl Hooper from Langney, Eastbourne helped the fight against railway crime literally take-off this week after winning a ride in Network Rail’s very own helicopter. Carl was attending the No Messin’! live event in Hampden Park, Eastbourne – part of Network Rail’s summer initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing on the railway. Carl was the lucky winner of a ride in the helicopter - used by Network Rail for essential maintenance tasks, rapid response to incidents and now the latest tool being used in the fight to combat railway crime. Among the activities on offer at No Messin’! live were rugby, extreme frisbee, wrestling, athletics and basketball, all aimed to show children safe alternatives to playing on the railway. The event was attended by hundreds of local children and also received the backing of Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson who said:  “I am delighted that Network Rail brought its No Messin’! campaign to Hampden Park, Eastbourne. It is very important that children understand the dangers of crime and trespass on the railway network, far too many are hurt each year in needless accidents because they trespassed. I think No Messin’! is a great way to inform children how dangerous it can be to trespass and the campaign has my total support.” Since January there have been nearly 100 incidents of railway crime in the Eastbourne area, ranging from trespass and vandalism, to objects being placed on the track and missiles being thrown at trains, all of which can have serious consequences. Network Rail Route Director Andrew Munden said: “All children want to have fun, particularly during the school holidays.  But we have a real problem in the Eastbourne area with children risking their own lives and those of others by trespassing on the railways, placing objects on the track and even throwing missiles at trains.  No Messin’! Live showcases fun activities and sports children can try out during the summer holidays.  Hopefully they have been inspired by the event and will stay away from the tracks for the rest of the summer and beyond.”