Media centre

Friday 17 Sep 2004

RAIL SAFETY MESSAGE HITS HOME

Region & Route:

‘Keep off the track and stay alive’ is the stark but simple message that Network Rail and its industry partners have been giving to young people over the school summer holidays and they have been listening. As the new school term gets into full swing in the East Midlands, Network Rail is reporting a significant reduction in the number of trespass cases in the region, with 23 fewer incidents compared to this time last year. One of the main initiatives responsible for the decrease in railway crime in the East Midlands has been the use of ‘Scarecrow Teams’ in the hotspot areas. ‘Operation Scarecrow’ is a joint scheme by Network Rail and the British Transport Police, who patrol the lines to discourage people from trespassing and catch perpetrators. Network Rail is encouraged by the reduction in trespass incidents this summer, but recognises that it has a long way to go and will continue to look at new ways of tackling railway crime. Neil Henry, Area General Manager for Network Rail in the East Midlands said: “The cost of railway crime is enormous, both in terms of train delays and damage to trains and infrastructure. This latest trend is encouraging, but we will continue to try and reduce incidents further. The threat to the lives and safety of passengers and railway staff remains our main cause of concern. - more - Safety Message - 2 “Crime on the railway is a huge concern to us all, working closely with the industry and our local communities is the key to tackling this major problem. I would urge anyone who sees anything suspicious on railway property to report it to the free 24-hour hotline number on 0800 40 50 40 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where rewards are available for information which leads to a successful conviction.” To kickstart the summer holidays this year, the rail industry launched its offensive to educate and warn young people and adults alike of the foolishness of playing on or taking short cuts across the railway during ‘National Railway Crime Week’. A new hard hitting short film about the death of a 15-year-old boy from Leicester, as seen through the eyes of his classmates, friends and relatives, formed the spearhead of the campaign as the industry targeted the main culprits of railway crime. In addition to this many schools across the East Midlands have been visited by a school liaison officer who educates young people on the dangers of trespassing on the railway. Other initiatives include: · Regional radio campaigns during school holidays aimed at children and parents · Use of closed circuit television cameras at key railway crime locations and mobile CCTV cameras · Ongoing fencing programme · Access gate campaign – aimed at railway workers, highlighting their responsibilities in ensuring access points are left secured · Football in the Community – running training and workshop sessions for children and young people to divert attention away from trespassing on the railway