Media centre

Tuesday 25 Oct 2005

RAILWAY CRIME FALLS IN NORTH WALES

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Railway crime hotspots in North Wales have seen a fall in serious incidents reported so far this year.  However, with the school half term holidays underway, Network Rail is still emphasising its railway safety campaign ‘No Messin’!’. Andrew Skidmore, Network Rail’s General Manager for the area, said: “We have been working very closely with the British Transport Police, local schools and youth clubs to promote railway safety in North Wales, and are pleased that railway crime is down at some of our hotspot areas - Flint, Rhyl, Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay. “But, there is still a long way to go, and we would like to see even fewer incidents. As the infrastructure owner, we have a responsibility to spread the message that the railway can be a dangerous place.  You wouldn’t try to use a motorway as a short cut or a place to hang out – so why the railway?  Our message is clear: No Messin’!” In addition to its No Messin’! campaign, North Wales has: ·         A dedicated Railway Crime Education Manager who visits schools and youth clubs educating young people about the dangers of playing on the railway  ·         This month Network Rail donated £15,000 towards the new DangerPoint centre in Talacre, Flintshire, giving school children the opportunity to learn how to avoid the dangers that surround them in their daily lives ·         Network Rail is sponsoring a pilot scheme based in Colwyn Bay, involving young offenders in a horticultural project to clean up the railway environment