Media centre

Monday 6 Apr 2009

SCOTTISH RAIL CRIME DROPS BY 27% - BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

- Drop of 27% in Scotland - Significant ‘hot-spot’ areas to be targeted by No Messin! campaign

More than 5,000 incidents of railway crime involving young people in Britain were recorded in the last twelve months, with 540 incidents in Scotland alone.

While Scottish figures represent a drop of 27% on the previous year, significant ‘hot-spot’ areas remain and Network Rail today launches its annual No Messin’ campaign to reduce railway crime and promote positive activities for young people. The campaign is fronted by British boxing champion Amir Khan.

Taking short cuts, playing alongside the tracks, throwing objects at trains, placing obstructions on the line, spraying graffiti on railway bridges, fencing and buildings and fighting on the tracks were all crimes committed by young people in Scotland in 2008.

The most shocking instances include:

- Youths brawling on the tracks in the Glasgow area

- Train striking a shopping trolley in Ratho, West Lothian

- Trains struck by paintball pellets in Larkhall

Despite these disturbing incidents, the No Messin’ campaign, now in its fourth year, is seeing some significant successes. The ten Scottish 'hot-spot' areas identified by Network Rail’s Community Safety team last year have seen a 48% drop in recorded crimes (see list below).

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive, said: “We’re seeing some real success in bringing down the levels of railway crime in hot-spot areas, but there is much more work to be done to save lives and prevent needless injury. We are working hard to tackle the most dangerous crimes where young people think it is fun to play ‘chicken’ with a 200 tonne train going at 100mph or place objects on the line, which could have catastrophic consequences.

“Over the spring and summer we will once again be taking our No Messin’ campaign on tour to get young people involved in more exciting and fun stuff. That includes sports such as football and boxing, but also things they might never have tried before like archery, motorcycling and street dance. Once the events are over we continue to work with local clubs to sustain that interest and develop their skills and keep them off the tracks for good.”

In 2008, Network Rail’s ‘No Messin Live!’ event attracted over 4,000 kids over two days to the huge free event in Alloa. This year, two areas will benefit from the ‘No Messin Live!’ experience. On 22 July, the event will visit Livingston for the first time, while on 24 July No Messin! will arrive at the Palace Grounds in Hamilton

Livingston has recently seen the rail line in the area double tracked and electrification and more trains will follow by the end of 2010. The Hamilton event will allow Network Rail to target youths across South Lanarkshire, where route crime remains consistently high.

British Transport Police deputy chief constable Andy Trotter said: “BTP welcomes the news that crime is down in the areas targeted by Network Rail. While the figures represent good progress, we are not going to be complacent and we will continue to work closely with our partners to reduce crime even further.

“Our officers work tirelessly alongside Network Rail to educate youngsters that the railway is no playground and that those who gain access to prohibited parts of the railway are putting their lives at risk.”

Amir Khan spoke of his continued support for the campaign: “No Messin' is great because, instead of just lecturing kids, it gives them the chance to get involved with something new for free. Once they’re interested and can see the alternatives that are out there, they’re much more likely to pay attention to the rail safety message.

“Young people need to know that messing about on the tracks is not what earns them respect. The young kids that I see in my community gym are learning a real skill in boxing, making friends and keeping out of trouble. I want young people to take a chance and try something new through No Messin’, rather than on the railway, where all they’ll be doing is chancing their lives.”

Notes to Editors:

Scottish ‘Hot-Spot’ areas:

West:

Newton (WCML)
07/08: 35
08/09: 16

Braidhurst Loop
07/08: 24
08/09: 4

Priesthill & Darnley
07/08: 22
08/09: 11

Blantyre
07/08: 16
08/09: 16

Busby
07/08: 8
08/09: 6

East:

Edinburgh Waverley area (prodominantly platform to platform tresspass)
07/08: 40
08/09: 20

Stepps
07/08: 23
08/09: 19

Arbroath
07/08: 20
08/09: 7

South Gyle
07/08: 18
08/09: 9

Haymarket area
07/08: 12
08/09: 6

Railway Crime Statistics 2008

• A total of around 13,000 recorded incidents of trespass and vandalism. This excludes cable theft, suicides, on-train vandalism.

• 5,000+ crimes committed by young people. This equates to more than 100 a week.

• 3,089 trespass incidents with young people.
• 90 incidents of playing chicken
• 1,063 objects thrown at trains
• 1,181 objects placed on the tracks
• We know that the number of incidents increase between 4pm and 7pm and during school holidays.

• Young people are responsible for nearly 40% of crimes on the railway. Whilst the minority, young people take more risks and their actions are more dangerous – ie playing chicken and graffiti spraying in hard to reach locations. Adult crimes tend to be more platform-to-platform trespass and taking short cuts.

• Fatalities: There were 57 accidental public fatalities excluding those at level crossings. Three were of people under the age of 20.

• The cost: Railway crime costs the industry £264m every year.

The Dangers - Did You Know…?

• 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
• It takes up to 25,000 volts of electricity to power trains through the overhead lines. It’s always switched on and can even jump through the air to get to you. If you get too close it can kill – you don’t even have to touch anything to get killed.
• In some places on the network, trains are 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.

The Penalties
Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £1,000. A child of eight years or older in Scotland and 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. In Scotland, a parent/guardian will be sent to the procurator fiscal who will give them a reparation order which may mean that they have to attend a course or take part in community punishment projects.

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.