Railway reprimand for five youngsters (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Railway reprimand for five youngsters in Hampton

11:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Richmond News By Paul Teed

Five children aged between nine and 13 were reprimanded by police after they were caught running on to railway tracks.

Officers escorted the two boys and three girls home and spoke to their parents after CCTV operators spotted them playing the dangerous game at Hampton Wick station at about 4.20pm on Saturday, January 28.

Inspector Stacey Harfield said: “I spoke to all five with their parents and warned them about the incredible danger they had put themselves in.

“Fortunately no trains passed through the station at the time because the consequences could have been far worse.”

Police reprimanded the two boys, aged nine and 12, two 12-year-old girls and a 13-year-old girl for trespassing.

It prompted British Transport Police issue a warning to children about the dangers of playing on railway tracks.

Insp Harfield said: “The railway is not a playground. It can be a very dangerous place and we don’t want young people risking their lives for what they may say as a bit of harmless fun.

“There is also the danger of the electrified third rail, meaning that anyone who messes around near the tracks is not only risking being spoken to by my officers, they’re putting their lives at risk.”

Anyone concerned about dangerous activity near a railway track should call British Transport Police on 0800 405040.