Monday 1 Mar 2010
PORTSMOUTH BOXING CLUB ENTERS FIGHT AGAINST RAIL CRIME
- Region & Route:
- Southern: Wessex
- | Southern
A Portsmouth boxing club has joined Network Rail’s corner in the ongoing fight against trespass and vandalism on the town’s railway.
The partnership between Network Rail and the Heart of Portsmouth (HOP) Boxing Academy was launched at one of the club’s regular boxing shows on Saturday 27 February. The initiative aims to encourage young people to get involved in something new, such as sport, rather than needlessly risking their lives by messing around on the railways.
Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “The railway in the Portsmouth area experiences a high level of trespass and vandalism. Sadly, there have also been a number of fatalities in the area recently involving young people. Together these factors make it our top priority for raising awareness about the dangers the railway can pose if people access it when they shouldn’t. Through community partnerships, such as with the Heart of Portsmouth, we hope to continue our long-term objective of cutting trespass and vandalism on the railway, and hopefully save lives."
Through the partnership Network Rail will provide a financial contribution to the academy to help target social groups which have been identified as at risk of offending. It will also provide many opportunities to communicate safety messages to the wider community.
The HOP Boxing Academy is open to young people from the age five upwards. It is different to many sports clubs as it hosts the Boxing Awards Programme, which means that the young people who attend, many of who did not attend school or achieve academic qualifications, can work towards a qualification in sports coaching. As part of the programme, the young people get to improve their boxing skills and will now undertake railway safety education.
Quinton “Q” Shillingford, Amateur Boxing Association of England advanced coach and boss of the HOP Boxing Academy, said: “Boxing is a great way of teaching young people respect, dedication and commitment as well as leading a healthy lifestyle.
“The HOP Boxing Academy prides itself on being a community boxing gym for people of all ages, gender and abilities and at a very low cost. Perhaps most importantly, it keeps young people engaged in a fun activity in which they can achieve something at their own level. Whether participating recreationally or competitively, everybody is a winner as far as HOP coaches are concerned. The HOP Boxing Academy embraces all that Network Rail is trying to achieve and will support them in helping keep people safe”.
Notes to editors
There were 92 recorded incidents of trespass and vandalism in the Portsmouth area (Portsmouth, Fratton, Hilsea, Cosham, Havant) in 2008.
Taking short cuts, playing alongside the tracks, throwing objects at trains, and placing obstructions on the line were all crimes committed by young people in the Portsmouth area in 2008. Examples include:
- Young people tampering with lineside cables at Cosham
- Concrete slabs placed on the tracks at Fratton
- Young people playing ‘chicken’ at Fratton station
- Youths climbing on top of bridge caging at Moneyfields, Hilsea
The cost £
Railway crime costs the industry £264m every year.
The Dangers - Did You Know…?
- In Surrey and Hampshire, trains are generally 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.
-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
The Penalties
Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £1,000. A child of 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.
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.
Contact information
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03457 11 41 41
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southeastroutecomms@networkrail.co.uk
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