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Video: Crimes on the rails

by Katie Lamborn

klamborn@thekmgroup.co.uk

Rail bosses today revealed a shocking catalogue of crimes
youngsters committed on train tracks in Kent.

Network Rail said there were 240 crimes on Kent's railways
last year which put the lives of rail staff and passengers at
risk.

Incidents include laser pens being shone into the eyes of
train drivers at Faversham and
Westgate-on-Sea.

Others include a pellet gun fired at a train at
Birchington-on-Sea and young people "train surfing" at Broadstairs
and Minster.

The figures were released today to coincide with the
launch of Network Rail's No Messin' campaign.

Boxing champ Amir Khan has put his weight behind the call
for youngsters to keep away from the tracks this
summer.

He said: "Young people need to know that playing chicken or
throwing stones at trains won't get you respect or win you real
friends."

Nationally, 49 people died after trepassing on railway lines in
the last year - a quarter of them were aged 11 to 20.

Network Rail spokesman Gary
Gaskarth said: "The railway is a very dangerous place to be if your
not supposed to be there.

"Unlike cars, trains cannot swerve and can take the length
of 20 football pitches to stop.

"In Kent we have the third rail power system - the slightest
touch of that is enough to kill."