Level crossing offenders on CCTV

Police are advising motorists not to take risks at the level crossing

Drivers are being urged to wait at a level crossing in Shropshire where scores of motorists have been caught on CCTV jumping the lights.

British Transport Police will be at Wem level crossing all day to raise public awareness of the dangers.

CCTV cameras have filmed 69 people jumping the lights at the crossing in the past five months, compared with 20 in the same period in 2008.

Police said it was not worth the risk as trains sped by at 90 miles per hour.

Insp Stuart Middlemas, of British Transport Police, said the majority of the offenders came from Wem.

"Some people are prepared to put their life and the safety of other innocent people at risk simply to save a few minutes at level crossings.

"Wem is a busy area with freight and passengers trains using the line where the crossing is situated. Pedestrians and drivers need to be aware of the potential danger."

Punishment for jumping the lights at a crossing include fines, driving licence points or a prison sentence.