Media centre

Tuesday 9 Aug 2005

MEDIA INVITATION: FIGHTING AGAINST RAILWAY CRIME

Region & Route:

| Southern

Date:                           Wednesday 17 August 2005 Time:                          12 noon Location:                    Hampden Park, Eastbourne Event:                         No Messin’! Live Journalists and photographers are invited to attend the opening of a summer safety event to raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing on the railway.  No Messin’! Live is a free event for children aged 10-16 in the Eastbourne area, which will run from 10am to 4pm on the 17 and 18 August.  The event is part of Network Rail’s No Messin’! campaign which aims to show young people alternatives to playing on the railway. A spokesman for Network Rail 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 will be inspired by the event and stay away from the tracks for the rest of the summer and beyond.” During the two day event, children will have the opportunity to try out a range of activities including rugby, extreme frisbee, wrestling, athletics and basketball as well as learning about the dangers of playing on the railway.  They will also have the opportunity to enter a draw to win prizes such as iPods and X-Boxes. The Network Rail helicopter, which started operations in the South of England this summer to help combat railway crime will also be putting in an appearance.  If you want to attend the event, please contact the Network Rail Media Relations Team on 0207 557 8107.