Teenagers are playing chicken with trains on level crossings.

A driver thought he had hit one youth after a g roup darted in front of his speeding train at Littlehaven, near Horsham.

Luckily the youths managed to get to the other side of the Spooners level crossing.

Police are now increasing patrols in the area and have reiterated warnings about the dangers of playing on the tracks.

Inspector Gary Ancell, of the British Transport Police, said those playing the games were not only putting their lives at risk but were also endangering passengers.

He said a g roup of youngsters aged between about 15 and 17 were seen playing close to the line before the train went past during the incident in Littlehaven at 4.30pm on July 5.

Insp Ancell said: “Although this may seem like fun to those who continue to play, what they don’t realise are the dangerous implications of this.

“Behaviour such as this is incredibly risky and can result in dire consequences.

“The railway is an extremely dangerous environment that should never be considered as somewhere to hang out.

“Trains can’t stop and the driver cannot even see them if they are that close.

“Obviously it is very dangerous.”

Insp Ancell said that games on the line can also be “off-putting” for train drivers.

He said: “It can cause the driver to be so shocked he can’t work for the rest of the day.

“In this case the driver thought he had struck someone.”

BTP and Network Rail are urging parents to warn their children.

Insp Ancell said officers would prosecute anyone caught trespassing on the line.

He said: “Our main concern is the safety of youngsters but we will also do everything in our power to prosecute anyone caught deliberately obstructing the railway or trespassing on the tracks and endangering people’s safety, with the maximum penalty being life imprisonment.”

Anyone with any information about the incident should call BTP on Freefone 0800 405040 quoting incident of LSA/B10 of 12/07/2011.