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Notes to editors

The award winning No Messin' campaign which is fronted by boxing champion Amir Khan and run by Network Rail is aimed at tackling crime and saving lives on the railway. It gives young people the opportunity to try something different and maybe find a new interest - away from messing around on or near railway lines.

Taking short cuts, playing alongside the tracks, throwing objects at trains, placing obstructions on the line, and spraying graffiti on railway bridges, fencing and buildings, were all crimes committed by young people in 2008.

The most shocking instances include:

- Dropping breeze blocks, televisions and bicycles from bridges to hit trains passing below - Throwing golf balls and stones at trains - Placing a blazing sofa and shopping trolleys as obstructions on the line

Despite these disturbing incidents, the No Messin’ campaign, now in its fifth year is seeing some significant successes. Overall, reported trespass and vandalism crimes are down around 13% on 2007, and in the 100 locations specifically targeted by Network Rail in the past year, crime is down 30%.

The cost £

Railway crime costs the industry £264m every year

The Dangers –

Did You Know…? Trains travel at up to 125mph and can take the length of 20 football pitches to stop. If you get hit by a train, there will only be one loser It takes up to 25,000 volts of electricity to power trains through the overhead lines. It’s always switched on and can even jump through the air to get to you. If you get too close it can kill – you don’t even have to touch anything to get killed

In some places on the network, trains are powered by the third rail. It carries 750 volts of electricity and is never switched off. Touching the rail will almost certainly result in death or serious injury.

The Penalties

Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £1,000. A child of eight years or older in Scotland and 10 years or older in England and Wales can be prosecuted. A child of 12 years or older can be sent to a residential care unit. In Scotland, a parent/guardian will be sent to the procurator fiscal who will give them a reparation order which may mean that they have to attend a course or take part in community punishment projects.

Putting objects on the tracks (like rocks or shopping trolleys) could cause a train accident which may hurt or kill other people. If you do this, then you can be prosecuted by the police. The maximum penalty for causing a train accident is life imprisonment. If a child is charged with causing a train accident, then a parent/guardian may be prosecuted by the police too.

Graffiti is also a serious crime which can result in a prison sentence. If you are caught trespassing or vandalising on the railway, then you will be prosecuted.