A rail safety campaign backed by the Aberdeen Evening Express has been hailed a huge success after trespassing on the North East’s railway network fell by more than a half during April.

The newspaper teamed up with the British Transport Police to lend its support to the Off The Rails campaign, which warned children of the dangers of playing on railway lines.

And newly-released figures show the drive has paid off, with only 12 trespassing incidents and two incidents of vandalism reported between April 1 and May 1 this year – compared with 26 reported trespassing incidents and seven reports of vandalism in the same period last year.

During the campaign the newspaper went out with the British Transport Police on their patrols and highlighted their life-saving work.

It also put up hard hitting posters around railway stations and regular childrens’ hang-outs warning them to stay off the tracks.

Sergeant Mike Burnett of the British Transport Police said: “This has been a great success and we would like to thank everyone involved for their help.

“We are delighted with the results of the campaign, which will hopefully make people think twice about trespassing on the tracks.

“However, there is no room for complacency and we will continue to patrol the railway tracks and make sure people are abiding by the law.”

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