Amir Khan launches hard-hitting rail campaign

8:20am Friday 18th July 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

BOXER Amir Khan yesterday urged children to stay away from train tracks after the release of a survey naming a North-East town among Britain’s main railway danger zones.

Darlington has the fifth highest number of reported rail crimes in the UK, according to a list compiled by Network Rail. Leeds topped the list.

Olympic silver medallist Khan launched this year’s No Messin’ campaign in Leeds, in an effort to discourage children against the dangers of playing on the tracks during the summer months.

Khan said: “If you mess about on the railways, the best you can hope for is that you won’t get injured, arrested or even killed.”

The campaign began in 2006, just three months after two teenagers were killed on the tracks in Darlington.

The North-East has seen a significant increase in the number of missiles thrown at moving trains over the past six months, according to Network Rail and the British Transport Police statistics.

Three areas in County Durham were identified as hotspots for missile throwing – Ferryhill, where four incidents were reported, and Darlington and Chester-le-Street, with three cases each.

British Transport Police statistics also revealed there were 491 recorded offences, including throwing missiles and trespass, in Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.

Martin Gallagher, who runs No Messin’ for Network Rail, said: “Too many young people’s lives are lost or ruined because they decided to take a shortcut or take risks on the tracks.

“We hope to grab their interest and, working with local clubs, sustain that interest to develop their skills and keep them off the tracks for good. This way, we can work to reduce rail crime and ultimately save lives.”

Khan also launched No Messin’ Live! – a series of two-day events held across Britain during the school holidays, when rail crime peaks.

It is hoped the sessions will steer young people away from the tracks by giving them a chance to try a range of activities including street dancing, rock climbing and kickboxing.

For more information, visit no-messin.com