Last updated 11:21, Tuesday, 25 March 2008

A TRANSPORT police chief has warned it is only a matter of time before someone is killed by railway vandalism.

British Transport Police officers have been patrolling danger hot-spots in Cumbria this Easter holiday to deter would-be vandals.

The increased patrols follow a number of recent incidents. On March 12 officers received reports of youths throwing stones at trains in the Ulverston area, while on February 26 the driver of a Lancaster to Carlisle train reported narrowly missing a group of people at a level crossing at Grange.

In December officers appealed for information after a bicycle was thrown from a footbridge on to the tracks near Millom station. A Barrow to Carlisle train was disabled after the bicycle damaged the train’s track circuit actuator.

Inspector Derek McCutcheon of British Transport Police said: “People who trespass or commit crime on the railway are putting their own lives at serious risk, as well as the lives of all the staff and passengers travelling on trains.

“It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or even killed as a result of one of these incidents.”

Known as “route crime”, offences such as stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and line-side vandalism are all being targeted as part of the two-week initiative.

Insp McCutcheon said: “During the Easter holidays we have traditionally seen an increase in vandalism and stone-throwing offences on the railway.

“We are hoping that this year, by targeting the hot spot areas and through the education work we have already done, we will reduce the number of incidents and deter the majority of youngsters from messing about on the railway.

“I am also appealing to parents and adults to emphasise the dangers to your children and if you live near the railway, ask yourself if you know where your children are playing.

“It is worth remembering that if you are caught deliberately obstructing the railway and endangering people’s safety the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.”

Anyone with information about a crime on the railway should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.