No Messin'!
Appeal as girls seen playing on rail line
OFFICERS are appealing for help from the public to track down two girls seen trespassing on railway lines.
Security cameras caught the youngsters wandering on the tracks at St Peter's Metro Station, in Sunderland, on May 12.
British Transport Police said the pair put their lives at risk and said they were determined to highlight the dangers.
The appeal came as police prepare to launch a campaign warning youngsters that railways must not be treated as playgrounds over the summer holidays.
Officers have visited local schools in Sunderland to try to trace the girls, without luck.
PC John Foster, from the police's Metro unit, said "We are concerned about their safety.
"Trespassing on the line is a very dangerous thing to do. The two girls were endangering their own lives and the lives of others. It is important that we speak to them in order to point out the potential consequences of their actions."
Nationally, up to 60 people are killed and hundreds more injured on the railway every year either crossing the tracks, taking shortcuts, messing about or playing chicken.
The Northern Echo launched its No Messin' campaign, run in conjunction with Network Rail, in 2005 to alert youngsters and their parents to the dangers of playing near railways and inform them of opportunities for safe play.
Transport police education officer Steve Wareing said: "All too often, we are called to deal with incidents whereby people, particularly youngsters, have been seriously injured and, in some cases, even killed after trespassing on the railway.
"Trains reach extremely high speeds and strong currents also pass through the cables and can pass 650 volts through anyone who touches them.
"Railway lines are operational 24 hours a day. Trespassing at any time of the day can prove fatal."
Anyone with information about a railway crime is asked to call police free on 0800-40-50-40.
Anyone who recognises the girls in the CCTV images can also call that number, quoting reference C05/ 056798/07, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800-555-111.
11:12am Wednesday 27th June 2007
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