Network Rail has issued a safety warning after CCTV footage showed a child standing on the track near Billingham, County Durham, throwing ballast at cars on the A19.

Ballast is the stones that form the base of the railway, and throwing these stones at cars poses a serious risk to road users. It also endangers users of the railway, as well as the individual involved.

This is just one of several incidents of trespass and vandalism caught on CCTV in this area, where there have been twenty-seven recorded incidents of trespass since April 2022.

As there has been a sharp rise in trespass incidents, British Transport Police and Network Rail mobile operations managers will patrol the area.

Network Rail is warning the public that these actions are risky, and may cause death or serious injury, harming the individuals, their families and others.

It can also lead to disruption to train services, causing just nearly fifteen hours of delays since April last year.

Footage suggests that the trespassers are mostly young people, abd also some dog walkers taking a shortcut across the tracks.

Specialist community safety managers are working to increase public understanding of the dangers of trespassing on the railway, particularly in ‘hotspots’ such as the Billingham area.

Network Rail is reminding the public that trespassing on the railway is illegal and dangerous, and can lead to prosecution and a thousand-pound fine.

Network Rail community safety teams will be visiting schools in the area, to explain to children how dangerous – even fatal – trespassing on the railway can be.

They will also be asking whether anyone recognises the child throwing stones at cars.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “The railway is not a playground and it is deeply concerning to see people taking serious risks to their own and other people’s safety.

“Trespassing incidents on the railway are dangerous for everyone who uses the system since they can result in serious injuries or, in the worst instance, fatalities.

“We urge the general public to report any instances of trespassing they see to the BTP, as well as parents, teachers, and other responsible people to make sure children understand the dangers of trespassing.”

Chris Smith, officer for the British Transport Police (BTP), said: “Trespass incidents of this nature cause a serious risk to life as trains cannot stop as quickly as cars.

“The dangers those witnessed are willing to put themselves in for a “shortcut” or to behave in an anti-social manner is unfathomable.

“Those witnessed throwing stones to the dual carriageway below again is inherently dangerous and may result in severe damage to cars and serious or fatal injuries to drivers and passengers of many different vehicles.”