British Transport Police have released a new campaign video urging parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on railway tracks this summer.
In the past ten years, almost 170 young people have lost their lives after trespassing, with half of those killed are under the age of 25.
42% of trespassers cross the tracks in order to take a shortcut while 19% are “thrill-seeking”.
Tom Crosby received a 25,000-volt electric shock while “playing” on the railway when he was just 14 years old - he now works with Network Rail to warn children about the dangers of playing on the tracks.
“I never thought it would leave me with nerve damage and visible scars from skin grafts that I'll have for the rest of my life. I was burnt from head to toe and the doctors told my mum that there was only a 25 per cent chance I'd make it through the night."
“After the incident my life completely changed. I went downhill and last year I reached rock bottom."
“If I was to tell my 14-year-old-self something, I'd say the rail tracks aren't a playground, it's somewhere that can kill you, and that's something no one's family should have to go through.”
Paul Brogden, Chief Superintendent of British Transport Police, has stressed they can’t cover 10,000 miles of track alone.
“That is why we are urging parents and young people to heed this warning and take a reality check when it comes to trespass."
“It’s not a game: they are real tracks, with real trains and real life consequences.”
