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Alarming rise in people risking lives by trespassing on train tracks

According to Network Rail and the British Transport Police, across Britain, one person trespasses on the railway every hour, putting their lives in danger. In the south, the numbers of trespassers is at a high.

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Young people in deprived areas more likely to trespass on train tracks

New figures have revealed that the numbers of youth trespassing on train tracks is higher in areas with higher socio-economic deprivation.

Research also shows a rise in young people taking risks on the tracks during the spring and summer school holidays.

In response to the seasonal surge in incidents and to tackle the problem of youth trespass, Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have launched a national programme to teach schoolchildren in trespass hotspots about railway safety.

Every single day we are called to the tracks because a train driver has had to sound their horn or apply their emergency brake In a desperate bid to avoid youths on the line, who then run off, seemingly unaware of the danger they have put themselves in.

We continue to do all we can to keep youngsters safe by patrolling areas where we know they’re likely to trespass and prevent them from doing so.

However, we cover thousands of miles of track and we cannot tackle this issue alone. That is why we are urging parents and young people to heed this warning and take a reality check when it comes to trespass. It’s not a game: they are real tracks, with real trains and real-life consequences.”

– Chief Inspector Sarah White, BTP south east

Number of people trespassing on train tracks in the south west hits four-year-high

Alarming new figures from Network Rail and the British Transport Police (BTP) reveal more people than ever are risking their lives on the rail network by trespassing on the tracks in Network Rail’s Wessex route, which covers Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire.

The data, which looks at trends over the last four years, shows trespass incidents are at all-time high in the region, while nationally one person trespasses and dices with death every hour.

Last year alone there were around 1,100 incidents where people risked their lives on the rail network to the south and west of London - a 22% rise on the previous year.

Research also shows the number of young people trespassing on the tracks increases during the spring and summer school holidays.

Every April we see a huge rise in the number of people taking a risk on the rail network and it’s worrying that these numbers seem to be going up. Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks. The dangers may not always be obvious but trains can travel up to 125 miles per hour, so even if they see you, they can’t stop in time. On top of that, the South Western railway is electrified with third rail, which means there is an extra track running along the ground that is electrified with 750 volts of electricity. Anyone trespassing on the railway could easily come into contact with the third rail, and the power is enough to kill a person."

– Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail

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Rise in people risking lives trespassing on train tracks

This person narrowly misses the oncoming train Credit: British transport police

The amount of people who trespass on train tracks has dramatically increased.

According to Network Rail and the British Transport Police, on average, at least one person every hour will venture onto the track.

Last year, there were 8,265 such incidents across Britain and in the past five years 115 people were killed, with half, younger than 25.

Trespassing incidents involving youths double during spring and summer compared with winter.

Britain has the safest railway in Europe but still too many people lose their lives on the tracks. The dangers may not always be obvious but the electricity on the railway is always on and trains can travel up to 125mph, so even if they see you, they can't stop in time.

– Allan Spence, Network Rail
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