Train vandal 'hotspot' risks lives
Train passengers are being put at risk by vandals and trespassers who treat the railways in the West Midlands as their playground.
Train passengers are being put at risk by vandals and trespassers who treat the railways in the West Midlands as their playground.
There have been more than 40 near misses on the railways in this region alone since August, according to Network Rail.
Old bicycles have been left on tracks, abandoned tyres have been set on fire on railway property and yobs have thrown stones at trains, smashing widows.
In other cases, people have wandered onto the tracks apparently oblivious to the dangers they are facing.
Network Rail's area general manager Chris Rowley said: "Wolverhampton and the surrounding area is a railway crime hotspot.
"With half term here it is important to show young people, especially, that there is a range of alternative activities available to them. The truth is that anyone who plays near railways risk being killed and are also putting the trains at risk."
In 2006, 50 people were killed on Britain's railways, crossing the tracks, taking short cuts, messing around or playing chicken.
Research by Network Rail shows the majority of victims are young people.
Incidents recorded by the company include two girls as young as 10 walking along the line in Willenhall in September, an old bike being left on the track at Coseley in December and burning tyres being positioned on the rails at Horsley Fields in October.
In the summer, Network Rail held a two-day event at Aldersley Leisure Centre, in Wolverhampton.
More than 1,000 young people took part in activities ranging from rock climbing to surfing at No Messin' which was organised to give youngsters safe and fun activities to try.
Railway crime education manager Terry Hawkins said there were plans to do another educational event in Wolverhampton this summer.
He said: "In this area the tracks run through densely populated urban areas, many of which are underprivileged and have little for young people to do.
"They end up messing around on the railway tracks and many don't realise just how dangerous that is."
By Daniel Pountney
