Police are warning Lichfield youngsters to stay off the tracks as they step up patrols around railway lines.
The school holidays often see an increase in the number of incidents of trespassing that have to be dealt with by British Transport Police – as well as an increase in other crime such as stone-throwing and placing objects on the line.
This year, officers have teamed up with Network Rail staff to ensure that any potential problem areas are targeted during the remainder of the summer holiday period – and also to help educate youngsters by spreading the message that playing on or near the railway could have fatal consequences.
PC Geoff Walker said:
“Sadly, in other parts of the country, we have already seen fatalities as a result of people trespassing and neither I, nor any other officer, wants to have to tell another family that their son or daughter won’t be coming home.
“The railway is an inherently dangerous environment and should never be treated otherwise. It is certainly not a playground and those who fail to heed the warnings and advice can expect to find themselves being prosecuted.
“We need parents to take responsibility too and make sure you know where your children are and continue to pass on the safety messages to them. Vandalising railway property and obstructing trains puts lives at risk, while stone throwing is potentially fatal. Even a small stone dropped from a bridge and meeting a train travelling at 100mph can kill.
“We will 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.”