PARENTS and schools are being urged to speak to their children about the dangers of trespassing on the railway as half term approaches.
Despite repeated warnings about the dangers of venturing too near the railway and the consequences of playing near the tracks and a hard-hitting anti-trespass campaign featuring videos seen by more than 600,000 people on social media, incidents of children spotted in highly dangerous situations on the railway still occur.
British Transport Police officers are now turning to parents to help reinforce their message that the railway is no place for playtime.
Sgt Helen White said: “It’s vital we have parents on board with this message. We don’t want to have to knock at their door and give them the news that their son or daughter won’t be coming home.
“In many instances parents have no idea that their children are hanging about near the railways which is why it’s so important for them to point out the dangers just as they would about talking to strangers or crossing busy roads.
“We are talking life or death here – if you want to save your child’s life – talk to them about the dangers of straying too close to the railways and the consequences of hanging around there. There’s no other way to put it.”
Officers regularly visit schools in partnership with Network Rail to help explain to children why the tracks are a forbidden place but more help is needed to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that occur on the railways due to trespass.
Sgt White added: “If a train is travelling at speed you won’t hear it until it’s too late to move – you wouldn’t take this chance, so don’t let your children.
“Drivers cannot stop in time to avoid someone on the line. We have seen far too many instances of children who thought they were just indulging in some harmless fun being struck by trains. It’s vital we don’t see anymore.”
Hayley Bull, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “We cannot stress enough the danger young people are placing themselves and others in by trespassing on the railway.
“We’re urging parents to make sure children understand just how unsafe it is to trespass on the railway and how failing to use the railway safely could have potentially tragic consequences.”
To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/information-for-parents/
Find out more http://www.btp.police.uk/realitycheck
WARNING: Some viewers may find this video upsetting.
