No Messin'!
Railway safety tour arrives in the region
A NATIONAL campaign to keep youngsters away from danger on the railways has highlighted problem areas in the region.
No Messin' Live, which aims to reduce death and injury on railway lines, is on its second annual tour of the country.
Stockton has been pinpointed as a problem area for crime, vandalism and trespassing on tracks.
Network Rail, which is heading the campaign, said train lines were lethal areas, in which children and adults have died.
The company, which manages the country's rail network, said there were more than 28 million incidents of trespass every year - 11 million of them committed by people under 16.
Rachel Lowe, of Network Rail, said: "Our aim is to prove to youngsters that there are other safe activities closer to home.
"Youngsters can take a shortcut home across a line, build a den close to the track or even risk their lives by playing chicken.
"It does not matter what reason they have for being there - they could be killed."
Professional boxer Amir Khan is heading the national campaign, which was in Darlington last year.
The No Messin' tour is free and allows ten to 16-year-olds to try new hobbies or skills.
The Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre is hosting the North-East leg of the tour and has a climbing wall, a surfing simulator and DJ mixing tables. There is also a chance to try wrestling, boxing and football and other events.
On average, 60 people are killed and more are injured every year.
In the past year, almost 50 people died and hundreds more were injured on tracks around the country. Launching the No Messin' Live tour earlier this year, Amir Khan said: "There is no excuse for mucking about on train tracks.
"You may think you are clever and fast, but a train is quicker, and what is clever about getting yourself killed?"
The two-day event ends today with activities from 10am 5pm at the centre, in St John's Way, Ragworth.
Network Rail said the activities would not stop after the tour moves on to Manchester, Wandsworth and Enfield for the rest of the summer holidays.
* See The Northern Echo every Saturday for listings of events for children.
9:24am Tuesday 15th August 2006
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