Campaign on right track to keep youngsters safe

IAN BUNTING

Fearless – the youth programme of independent charity Crimestoppers – has launched a new campaign to keep young people safe this summer.

To coincide with the school summer holidays, the organisation is working in partnership with Network Rail to raise awareness among youngsters of the dangers of trespassing on railways.

During 2019/20 there were 735 incidences of trespassing in Scotland – causing more than 50,025 minutes of disruption to commuters and costing Network Rail over £ 1.8 million.

Often incidences of trespassing spike during the summer months, so the national digital campaign aims to give youths clear facts on the dangers to prevent them from being badly hurt or killed.

The crime charity is encouraging youngsters to speak up if they know anyone who regularly trespasses – putting their own lives and others at risk - by giving information online, 100 per cent anonymously via fearless.org.

Lyndsay McDade, senior youth projects officer for Crimestoppers, said: “Trespassing on the line can be fatal and it’s vital that young people know the dangers in order to keep themselves and their friends safe.

“We’re urging young people to tell our charity who regularly trespasses on the tracks and where.

“It only takes two minutes to complete our simple anonymous online form at fearless.org and we guarantee you’ll stay 100 per cent anonymous.

“We can’t trace IP addresses or any contact details that could identify you. Nobody will ever know the information came from you.

“If you spot someone on the railways tracks it is an emergency, so always call 999.”

Raising awareness Youngsters involved with fearless.org spread their message at train stations across the country