West Yorkshire parents urged to speak to children about dangers of trespassing on the railway
Figures reveal that there were more than 19,300 trespass incidents on the rail network
Network Rail is urging children in West Yorkshire to stay off the tracks and not put themselves and others at risk new safety figures reveal that there were more than 19,300 trespass incidents on the rail network – that’s one every half an hour.
Alarming new data shows 510 dangerous railway trespassing incidents involving young people across Network Rail's North & East route since April 2024, with Leeds accounting for nearly half of these.*
The figures highlight a concerning pattern of risk-taking behaviour, with an average of more than one incident per day putting young lives in danger across the region's railway network.
Nationally, trespass was one of the biggest causes of delay in 2023/4, accounting for 108,168 minutes of delays to rail passenger and freight services – the equivalent of just over 1800 hours, 75 days or 225 working days.
The figures also reveal that trespass is almost twice as likely to happen during the summer months, with more than 60% of all incidents recorded during British Summer Time.
As a result, Network Rail and the British Transport Police are calling on parents and carers to ensure that their children know how to keep themselves safe when they are in a rail setting.
A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we have seen too many times the tragic and life-changing consequences of young people going trackside. Sadly, some children think the rail tracks look like tempting places to play and don’t consider just how dangerous the tracks can be. Working with our partners is essential in ensuring the education of trackside dangers are shared. We hope these sessions will create conversations with the students at home, school and among peer groups.