TRAIN bosses are to use shock tactics in schools to cut rail crime in the North-East.

The education programme has already reduced rail crime and anti-social behaviour in other parts of the North. Now it is to be used in schools across the North-East.

The move comes as The Northern Echo publishes its No Messin' supplement today in conjunction with Network Rail. The No Messin' campaign aims to highlight the dangers of trespassing on the railways and promote positive activities for young people.

It follows the deaths of teenagers Stuart Adams and Lee Mullis on a railway line in Darlington, at Easter.

Since its launch three years ago, a schools programme has reached 180,000 children. It is co-ordinated by schools liaison officer Chris Leech, who said he uses reality tactics to make the dangers of trespassing hit home.

Mr Leech has won national acclaim for the programme, which targeted Bradford, Leeds and the North-West. In target areas, rail crime fell by 28 per cent and anti-social behaviour by 78 per cent.

From September, he will be in Darlington and other areas of the North-East.

He is expanding his team of volunteers, which will include Andy Scott, who was driving the train on the night the Darlington teenagers were killed.

Mr Leech and train operator Northern Rail are members of Partners Against Railway Crime and work with young people caught vandalising rail lines.

To contact Mr Leech, or for details of the programme, visit www.teachingzone.org/ northern

* The No Messin' supplement was originally due to be published on Saturday, July 9, but it was postponed out of respect for the victims of the London bombings.