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Thursday 13 Aug 2009

NETWORK RAIL’S NO MESSIN' LIVE! EVENT IN LEICESTER AIMS TO KEEP KIDS OFF THE LINE

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Network Rail’s No Messin’ Live! event will be descending on East Wigston in Leicester from 12-4pm on Wednesday 19 August, 2009. Young people will be able to come a long to Blaby Road Park, Wigston, Leicester to try out lots of new activities and to make them aware that there are much better and safer things to do than misbehave on dangerous railways.

Wigston is a hotspot area for railway crime with one of the highest levels of trespass and vandalism nationally. Incidents in the Wigston area have ranged from large objects being placed on the track, windows being smashed by stones and other items, to very young children being removed from the running lines and near misses with trespassers. Other hotspots in the East Midlands include: Corby, Derby, Leicester, Mansfield Woodhouse, Humberstone, Peartree, Radcliffe, Sunny Hill and Hinckley.

There were more than 5,000 recorded incidents of railway crime across England involving young people last year. During the summer holidays Network Rail launched its annual No Messin’ campaign to reduce railway crime and promote positive activities for young people. The campaign is fronted by boxing champion Amir Khan.

The free events aims to make young people aware of the dangers of railway crime, introduce them to new activities and skills and provide a fun, boredom-busting day out during the school holidays.

Young people will be able to try out the game zone, DJing, boxing, wrestling, street dance, football free styling with Colin Nell, penalty shoot out, street soccer, art wall, creative creatures, motion animation, motorcycles, skate park, TV and music stage, show tent and much more. The award winning No Messin' campaign is run by Network Rail and 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 – instead of misbehaving on or near railway lines.

Crimes committed by young people in 2008 included 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.

The most shocking instances in the UK 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 fourth 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 campaigns have proved very successful in Willenhall and Coventry which were amongst the worst areas in the country in 2007. 2008 saw the number of incidents drop by over 50%. Incidents in Stetchford, which used to be the worst place in the country for railway crime, have also seen a massive drop over the past five years due to leaflet drops, multi agency working and many school visits.

Amir Khan spoke of his continued support for the campaign: “No Messin' is great because, instead of just lecturing kids, it gives them the chance to get involved with something new for free. Once they’re interested and can see the alternatives that are out there, they’re much more likely to pay attention to the rail safety message.

“Young people need to know that messing about on the tracks is not what earns them respect. The young kids that I see in my community gym are learning a real skill in boxing, making friends and keeping out of trouble. I want young people to take a chance and try something new at a No Messin’ Live! event, rather than on the railway, where all they’ll be doing is chancing their lives.”

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive said: “We’re seeing some real success in bringing down the levels of railway crime in hotspot areas, but there is much more work to be done to save lives and prevent needless injury. We are working hard to tackle the most dangerous crimes where young people think it is fun to play ‘chicken’ with a 200 tonne train going at 100mph or place objects on the line, which could have catastrophic consequences.

“Over the spring and summer we will once again be taking our No Messin’ campaign on tour to get young people involved in more exciting and fun stuff. That includes sports such as football and boxing, but also things they might never have tried before like archery, motorcycling and street dance. Once the events are over we continue to work with local clubs to sustain that interest and develop their skills and keep them off the tracks for good.”

British Transport Police deputy chief constable Andy Trotter said: “BTP welcomes the news that crime is down in the areas targeted by Network Rail. While the figures represent good progress, we are not going to be complacent and we will continue to work closely with our partners to reduce crime even further.

“Our officers work tirelessly alongside Network Rail to educate youngsters that the railway is no playground and that those who gain access to prohibited parts of the railway are putting their lives at risk.”

To find out more about the host of free sports, arts and dance activities are available to kids aged 9-16 will take place across the summer holidays in Wigston and across the country visit www.no-messin.com.