According to a report by Network Rail there has been a ‘shocking’ rise in rail trespassing since the beginning of the pandemic. With some southern regions in the UK seeing a increase, 48% in Wessex, 40% in Sussex and 38% in Kent.
Regional Director John Halsall said: “We’ve never seen anything like these rises before and with young people a notoriously difficult market to reach at the best of times – we’ve got a challenge ahead of us.
“The ripples from incidents where trespassers are hurt or killed spread widely and rapidly, starting from the incident itself and spreading through friends, parents, our colleagues on the ground to the train crew too”
With most routes electrified trespassers don’t just face the danger of being struck by a train, but electrocution too. Efforts have been made since 2018 to address the situation, when the ‘You vs Train’ campaign was launched in partnership with the British Transport police.
The effects of trespassing have contributed to cases of power cuts and damage, causing delays and extreme cases, injury and death.
Halsall finally added “Now schools are back, we’re urging parents to talk to their children about the real and present danger of going anywhere near railway tracks. We’re also working with schools and have produced a new film as part of our You v Train campaign. There’s a clear message here for all parents, guardians and teachers – if the trains don’t get you, the electricity in the conductor rail will”
You can now watch the film on their website.
http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/resources
