Police called out to children ‘trespassing’ on train tracks

Children were reportedly trespassing on train tracks at Langport, says the British Transport Police. Officers from Bristol were called out to the tracks on Monday evening (April 17) after receiving reports children were on the tracks. Posting on the BTP AvonSomerset Twitter account, the force said officers ensured the tracks were clear so trains could continue running normally.

The tweet read: "We get sent to some beautiful places.. officers from Bristol responded to reports of children trespassing on the lines at Langport, Somerset, after ensuring the tracks were clear, trains could return to normal working." The Network Rail website says that, when someone trespasses on the lines, it must "stop all trains in the vicinity to remove trespassers, check for damage and clear blockages. This not only delays nearby trains, but also has a knock-on effect [2] on trains across the network, sometimes lasting for hours.

"Certain parts of the railway, including stations, underpasses and level crossings, are open to the public. But when people go onto the tracks, embankments or other areas, they are trespassing." Working with the British Transport Police and the railway industry, Network Rail launched the You vs Train [3] in 2018, to raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing on railway lines. "Trespassing includes picking up lost property from the tracks, crossing the tracks at any point other than at a level crossing, stepping off a level crossing onto an area where you shouldn't be, and taking a walk down the side of the railway track," the website states.

References

^ Police officer accused of rape while on duty (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
^ knock-on effect (www.networkrail.co.uk)
^ You vs Train (www.youvstrain.co.uk)