Child trespassing incidents in Black Country almost double in three years

The statistics, which are mirrored across the country, have led to the British Transport Police and Network Rail launching a campaign targeting teenagers who ignore warnings over the railway.

They show that there were 16 incidents in 2014/15 involving children or youths trespassing on the tracks in the Black Country.

This increased to 27 in 2017/18.

It was similar in Birmingham, where the same number went up from 60 to 113 in the last financial year.

The You Vs Train campaign is aimed at making young people away of the consequences for them and their loved ones when they go onto the railway line.

It features a film showing the story of Tom Hubbard, who was seriously injured after touching overhead power cables in Rugby.

Mr Hubbard, who was then aged 14, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where he started a four-year journey to recovery.

But, locally, there has also been stories of young people injured or killed while on the railway line.

Also in 2014, Ashley Aaron Matthews, from Willenhall, was electrocuted at Bescot rail depot in Walsall when he jumped from a bridge onto a feight carriage.

The 19-year-old was being filmed as he made contact with a cable carrying 250,000 volts, and suffered 84 per cent burns.

He later died in hospital.

Last year, 14-year-old schoolgirl Sarah Athersmith died when she crossed a level crossing at Wallows Lane in Walsall.

She was not trespassing.

Mr Hubbard, now aged 18, said: “Four years on I’m still affected by the events of that day and every time I look in the mirror I’m reminded by that one decision to go on the railway.

"The accident has made me more of an introvert and cautious of trying new things, often opting to stay in during the day to avoid people and wear hoodies and long-sleeved tops to hide my scars, even on hot days."

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith said: “We hope that by sharing Tom’s story, young people who might have previously considered trespassing on the railways will think twice.

“We want his story to be heard – the tracks are not a playground. They’re incredibly dangerous and, as Tom’s story shows, can easily result in serious injury or worse.

“We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks, and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines.

"Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well.

"This campaign is not just for our young people but also their friends and family."

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, said: "Hundreds of people each year unintentionally take on the railway and lose.

"This year we have already seen a record number of young people losing their life or being injured on the track."