Media centre

Tuesday 16 Dec 2003

SHORT CUTS CUT LIVES SHORT

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail is urging members of the public across East Anglia to keep off the railway lines and stay alive over the Christmas holidays.             It is a popular myth that the power to the railway lines shuts down over the festive period but this is not the case. Electricity flows through the line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and it is never switched off – even on Christmas Day. Trains running on electrified railways take their power from the overhead lines, which is found above the track.  You do not even have to touch the overhead electric power cables above a railway line to be electrocuted or burned - electricity at 25,000 volts can ‘jump’ three metres and kill.             Despite the warnings both adults and children alike have been killed or seriously burnt and scarred for life as a result of trespassing on the railway.             It is often believed that the problem of railway trespass is one that only involves children. However research has shown that over 17 million acts of railway crime are committed in the UK every year by people aged 17 and over. Taking a short cut home across the railway this Christmas is not only a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to £1000, but also could be potentially fatal.             Anyone who sees somebody trespassing on or causing damage to the railway is urged to report them to the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The numbers are open 24 hrs a day and the calls are free. - more - Xmas – 2 Mark Phillips, Network Rail Regional Director said: “Every single act of route crime has the potential to cause serious harm or even death and can have long-term effects for those involved.  If you are one of the adults who trespass on the railway not only are you putting your own life at risk, but you are also setting an appalling example to children who are with you or see you.”