Teenagers risk lives on rails

The youths were on the track seconds before a train arrived

Transport authorities have warned that teenagers are risking their lives by trespassing on railway lines.

There have been 17 deaths on railways in the South East so far this year, despite a high profile summer campaign by the rail authorities.

Network Rail said a further 1,124 people had been caught trespassing and 812 recorded acts of vandalism.

David Orchard, whose home overlooks Adisham station in Kent, has installed CCTV cameras on his own home because of repeated problems with local youths.

We are even trying to play classical music at certain stations to deter them from staying Dave Ward, Network Rail

He recorded footage of teenagers playing on a live line seconds before a train pulled into the station.

Mr Orchard said: "It could have ended in electrocution.

"Or if the train had been a fast instead of a stopper, he would only have to slip or couldn't get up in time and that would have been another fatality."

Last year on the South East's railways there were 22 deaths, 45 injuries and 49 near misses between trains and trespassers.

'Difficult to crack'

Safety campaigners have handed out leaflets showing the consequences of playing on the lines.

Dave Ward, of Network Rail, said groups of youths seemed to be targeting certain stations.

"We are finding that difficult to crack although we are working very closely with the British Transport Police (BTP) and the train operator," he said.

"We've got specific summer patrols with the BTP and we are even trying to play classical music at certain stations to deter them from staying on the station."

Pc Tony Mart, of British Transport Police, said a particular concern in coastal areas was youths jumping into the sea and then on to the electrified lines.