A CAMPAIGN to keep youngsters off the railway lines is said to be a huge success in Medway.

Network Rail saw a high number of youngsters playing or hanging around on railway lines in the Gillingham area between January and December 2007. In some instances objects such as metal bars and fencing were even placed on the lines.

However, figures for 2008 have revealed a 35 per cent reduction in the number of kids risking their lives by playing on railway lines.

The downturn is attributed to two safety initiatives. Network Rails annual No Messin’ campaign which involves a series of talks and an initiative between Network Rail and Medway Youth Offending Team’s Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP).

The latter involves educating young people aged 12-14 on the YISP scheme about the dangers of the railway and crime prevention messages. They are then given presentation training, so they can visit local primary schools and use their knowledge about railway crime and safety to encourage year five and six pupils not to mess about on the railway. The YISP students are closely supervised by a YISP facilitator and Network Rail community safety manager throughout.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are pleased with the reduction in the number of railway crime incidents reported in the Gillingham area over the last year. However, any public awareness campaign requires a long-term commitment to influence a change in people’s behaviour, and while we have seen some success with No Messin, we can’t stop there.

“The railway is a dangerous place to be if you’re not supposed to be there."