POLICE officers are to carry out extra patrols at level crossings in the region in a bid to deter misuse of them.

Thirty drivers a week receive penalty tickets for failing to abide by signals, while there are regularly a number of hair raising misses involving pedestrians and motorists and high speed trains.

The action is part of Operation Look, which begins on Monday (September 29). Network Rail is closing crossings where possible and replacing them with alternatives such as footbridges.

But there remain more than 6,000 crossings on the rail network.

British Transport Police officers will be joined by special constables, volunteers and Network Rail level crossing managers at a number of locations including the Low Gates Level Crossing at Northallerton, Redcar Central Crossing and Boldon Lane, Sunderland.

Inspector Peter Kooper said: “It is important people realise there is a serious penalty to pay for crossing-misuse. However, while we will not hesitate to use the force of the law, we are also acutely aware of the need to promote safety at crossings through education.

“We need drivers and pedestrians to realise level crossing misuse is a danger, not only to their safety, but the safety of others.”