No Messin'!
Police in rail crimes crackdown
TRANSPORT police will crack down on yobs who throw stones at trains and mess about on the railway this Easter holiday.
They will monitor a number of areas for such crimes across the region with high-profile and plain-clothed operations.
Motorbike patrols will be used in more remote locations.
In March and April last year, there were 99 incidents in the region, long regarded as one of the worst-hit areas.
Offences included throwing stones, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespass and vandalism.
Chief Inspector Jon Shillito, of the transport police, said. "We hope that by targeting the most prominent areas, we will reduce the number of incidents and catch some of the mindless individuals responsible.
"The railway is not a playground. Trains reach extremely high speeds and many lines are electrified, carrying a charge of 25,000 volts.
"Officers are regularly called to incidents where youngsters are badly injured and, in some cases, killed because they were messing about on or near the railway. I am urging parents and responsible adults to emphasise these dangers."
Anyone with information about a railway crime should call police free on 0800-40-50-40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.
* The Northern Echo launched its No Messin' campaign to alert youngsters and their parents to the dangers of playing near railways and inform them of opportunities for safe play.
8:51am Tuesday 3rd April 2007
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