Trespass warning at problem train stations
Streetlevelsupportmessagecall
British Transport Police have issued a warning after Wishaw and Shieldmuir Stations were named in Scotland’s top three for children trespassing on railway lines.
Shettleston in Glasgow as well as Shieldmuir and Wishaw are listed as the worst trespass hotspots in Scotland, both for all incidents – 25 each in Shettleston and Wishaw and 22 in Shieldmuir – and for youth trespass incidents (16 at Shettleston, and five each at Shieldmuir and Wishaw).
British Transport Police said that “with the schools closed for the foreseeable future and parents seeking to fill their children’s time at home,” it was vital that parents and carers to spoke to their children and loved ones about the dangers posed by the railway and the importance of staying off the track despite the UK being put into a lockdown over coronavirus.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Every year, there is a rise in the number of trespass incidents ahead of the Easter school holidays, when clocks go forward at the end of March and the evenings get lighter.
“Now, with an undefined absence from school and the knowledge that fewer passenger trains may be running, there could be an even greater temptation to stray onto the rail network.
“Each year, hundreds of people take risks on and around the railway, resulting in tragic consequences and life-changing injuries.”
Across the whole of Scotland, there were 2785 trespass incidents over the years 2017-2019, and 859 of those involving youths.
British Transport Police and Network Rail run a hard-hitting safety campaign – You Vs Train – which highlights the “devastating” consequences of trespassing on the railway.
With the early closure of schools, the organisations are offering parents the opportunity to sign up for free online tutorials of the You vs Train railway safety lessons, which are normally broadcast into schools via Network Rail’s educational partner LearnLive. People can visit https://learnliveuk.com/trespassawareness-week/ for more details.
Wishaw communities can get involved in “street level” messenger groups to bring people together and forge new relationships during the coronavirus self-isolation period.
Groups such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are being conscripted to help connect whole streets worried about selfisolation and loneliness.
Young and old across the UK are uniting to support anyone needing help at their time of need.
Jonathan Ratcliffe, who runs national agency Offices.co.uk from home, explained how people can get involved: “A neighbour set up a group and we now have 10 to 12 houses on the street subscribed.
“A man down the road asked on WhatsApp if anyone needed anything and 30 minutes later we had bread, bananas and paracetamol. It really helps morale and it would be lovely for people to know that there is support on their doorstep.”