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Thursday 5 Aug 2021

Mum's shock at CCTV of son trespassing on Warwickshire railway

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South

The mother of a teenager caught trespassing with two of his friends on the railway in Warwickshire say all three boys are lucky to have escaped unharmed.

Covert cameras were installed beside the tracks after a spike of trespassing in Nuneaton and Bedworth in recent months.

The motion-sensor activated cameras soon filmed the three boys dangerously messing about beside the live railway lines.

In the footage the children can be seen throwing ballast stones and hanging around perilously close to where trains travel at speeds of up to 45mph.

British Transport Police officers were immediately alerted, found the boys on the railway and took them home.

Network Rail has today (Thursday 5 August) released the video as a warning to stop others from risking life and limb on the railway.

Kaylee, one of the boys' mothers, said: “I couldn’t believe it when there was a knock on the door and it was the British Transport Police. Seeing the video showing how much danger my son and his friends put themselves in made my stomach turn – they’re so lucky they weren’t seriously injured - or worse.

“All three boys now realise just how stupid their actions were and think the footage should be shown so others like them don’t trespass on the tracks. It’s just not worth the risk.”

In the Nuneaton and Bedworth areas, track trespass incidents are up year on year 113 and 114% respectively.

As well as being incredibly dangerous, railway trespass is a criminal offence and punishable by a fine of up to £1,000.

Natalie Stretton, crime and security manager for Network Rail’s West Coast South route, said: “These three boys are very lucky to not have been injured and it’s a credit to them and their parents they are sharing their story and have seen the error of their ways.

“Our message to parents and guardians is to please warn your children that the railway is not a place to play. Every time someone strays onto the tracks they are placing themselves at risk of serious, life-changing injury or worse.” 

Superintendent Alison Evans, from British Transport Police, said: “Unfortunately, every summer we see a rise in trespass incidents. Please remember that stepping on the railway or beside the tracks at any time can have serious, life-changing consequences for the individual, their loved ones and the wider community. 

"Please, make sure you know the rail safety basics and pass that knowledge onto your loved ones. Lead by example and stay off the tracks.”

This summer a poignant new video has been released called ‘Shattered Lives’ showing how railway trespass can ruin families’ lives.

Network Rail's You Vs Train campaign highlights the dangers of railway trespass - for more information visit: https://youvstrain.co.uk/