SCARECROWS RETURN TO MIDLANDS RAIL CRIME HOTSPOT: Brickfields footpath crossing

Monday 2 Apr 2007

SCARECROWS RETURN TO MIDLANDS RAIL CRIME HOTSPOT

Region & Route:
| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders
| Southern: Wessex
| Wales & Western
| Southern

Network Rail's 'human scarecrows' will be returning to one of the Midlands worst rail crime hotspots this Easter, after 14 serious incidents in the last six months. The scarecrow teams first patrolled at Brickfields footpath crossing in Worcester, last October half term after incidents of trespass and vandalism reached alarming figures. Since then the severity of incidents has increased including children hitting golf balls on the line, children playing 'chicken' and placing a traffic sign on the track. Network Rail Area General Manager, John Gill said: "These latest incidents are more terrifying than ever. Our scarecrow patrols will be back at Brickfields deterring anybody who thinks this kind of mindless vandalism is a good idea. However, as the rate of these incidents is increasing we are starting to accept the fact that something more long term needs to be done. We have begun talks with the local authority to get the crossing closed altogether, before anyone dies here."

Notes to editors

Network Rail is currently in contact with local authorities about closing the crossing on safety grounds. There is a nearby diversionary route under a road bridge The 'human scarecrows' are Network Rail operational staff who will be patrolling the crossing during the Easter holiday providing a visible deterrent against trespass and vandalism at the crossing. The patrols will will start on Tuesday 3rd to Monday 9 April Since the last patrol in October there have been 14 incidents of rail crime at the crossing 11 of which involving young children Five young people (all under 16) died on the railway in the United Kingdom last year as a result of trespass Network Rail is committed to combating trespass and vandalism by the following initiatives: No Messin'! a national campaign to stop young people messing around on the railway tracks, and reduce the number of resultant deaths and injuries by getting them doing something better with their time. More details at: http://www.no-messin.com Dedicated Railway Crime Education Managers visit schools and road shows educating young people about the dangers of the railway. We will be targeting schools in the Brickfields area to warn children about the dangers of playing on the railway Network Rail has also recently launched a major national £3 million campaign to highlight the danger of level crossing misuse, featuring extensive nationwide and local advertising, including spots on television and radio and more than one million households will be targeted to receive information leaflets. The message is simple - level crossings are safe if used correctly- but if you run the risk the cost can be fatal.

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