Network Rail has released CCTV footage of trespass incidents in order to urge people to stay off the tracks.
The footage released today ties in with the start of the Summer School Holidays, with 2660 incidents of trespass recorded in 2023-24 – 314 of them involved children.
Analysis by Network Rail shows that on the North and East Route, trespass is more likely to happen in the Summer months, with 70% of incidents being reported between April and September.
The CCTV below shows incidents at Newton Aycliffe, Seaham and Bramley.
Network Rail has released a number of videos through their You Vs Train Campaign, which aims to educate people on the dangers of trespassing on the railway.
“The railway is an incredibly dangerous place and people who trespass are putting themselves at risk and breaking the law.
“We urge people to remember the consequences of trespassing and the devastating impact it can have on themselves, their family, passengers and the wider community, and train drivers. Closing the railway while we investigate incidents of trespass disrupts lives and also causes costly delays for passengers.
“Ahead of the summer holidays, we hope the CCTV footage will remind the public to think of their own safety and see that trespassing on the railway can be life-threatening.”
Chloe Creffield, Network Rail’s community safety manager in the North and East
Responses
There is going to be more young people trespassing onto the railway tracks during the summer holidays. It happens every year and there has been so many near misses. Even young children who don’t understand that railway tracks are not used as playgrounds or just to walk along it. Trains do use railway tracks and speed past railway stations.