Young people should stay off railway lines (From The Argus)

Young people should stay off railway lines

7:02am Friday 19th January 2007

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Vandals are regularly putting lives at risk by placing objects on railway lines.

Ten youths aged between 11 and 15 placed a drain lid on to the line at Seaford railway station on Saturday night.

A member of the public who witnessed the youths' actions contacted police. Officers arrived and removed the drain lid from the tracks. The vandals had left the scene by the time officers arrived.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "Vandalism tends to be a problem in areas where large groups congregate.

Areas where there is little for the youngsters to do and they sit and have a drink and leave.

"Railway stations seem to be a particular draw for youngsters."

He said he believed an incident of railway vandalism is reported in the area, which runs from Barnham to Bexhill and up to Three Bridges, every two weeks.

Angry residents in Angmering, near Littlehampton, have campaigned for Paggett's Crossing, which provides access over the railway track, to be closed following incidents of youngsters throwing stones at trains, placing objects on the line and in one instance pushing a pram in front of a train.

In an unrelated incident, 18-year-old Adam Blackwood, of Littlehampton, died after being hit by a train at the crossing on New Year's Day. A spokesman for Network Rail said: "These trespassers are literally playing with their lives and are extremely lucky to have escaped this incident unhurt.

"They were not only endangering their own lives but the safety of others too.

"We ask parents, teachers and guardians to help us make sure young people hear and understand this important safety message - that the railway can be a dangerous place and young people should stay off the tracks.

"We encourage anyone who witnesses any act of railway crime on the network to contact the free and confidential 24-hour railway crime line on 0800 405040."

louise.acford@theargus.co.uk

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