Media centre

Monday 4 Apr 2005

‘NO MESSIN’ SAYS OSCAR THE ROBOT

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Following the recent South Wales launch of the ‘No Messin’ campaign, young people were given the opportunity to speak to Oscar the Robot about the dangers of playing on the railway at Glamorgan Cricket’s family fun day on Saturday. A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Events like these are very important to us as we are able to combine our messages with fun.  Oscar the Robot helps Network Rail raise children’s awareness of railway safety in a relaxed environment”. Based on the premise that many young people are tempted to play on tracks because they are bored and have nothing else to do with their time, the ‘No Messin’ campaign aims to provide a diversion from unsafe activities, rather than trying to change behaviour through shock tactics.  The spokesperson continued: “Many of the railway incidents reported in hotspot areas in and around Cardiff involve children. You wouldn’t try to use a motorway as a short cut or a place to hang out – so why the railway?  Oscar is helping to make our message clear: No Messin’.” Over the coming months, the campaign will be rolled out, nationwide, at lots of different events and in particular focused in hotspot areas where railway crime is highest.  Fiona Neivandt, Glamorgan Cricket’s Marketing Manager, said: “We are enormously proud of our involvement with this worthwhile project.  Participation in the game of cricket represents a fantastic leisure opportunity for children of all ages and is certainly a positive alternative to dangerous activities such as playing on, or near, railway tracks.  The Family Fun Day was a great success and we thank Network Rail for their contribution to the event.”