A Leicestershire paper has joined forces with Railtrack in a new campaign to keep trespassers and vandals off its tracks.

The Mercury’s Stay off the Track campaign was launched after several sightings of children playing on the railways, and of objects being left on the track.

Railtrack is taking the campaign so seriously it has put a £2,000 reward for any reports of trespass and vandalism which lead to a successful arrest and conviction.

Midland Mainline, Central Trains and the British Transport Police have also backed the Mercury’s campaign.

Police Sergeant Bill Henry said: “It is a partnership approach to a big problem.

“Our biggest concern is for children. We would hope adults would have more sense not to go on the railway. The message to children is railways are very dangerous places.”

Secure fences across the county are ripped down by trespassers on a regular basis, and Railtrack are forever repairing them.

Railtrack’s John Osbourne said: “We spent about £40,000 to £50,000 last year just filling up holes in fences.”

Midland Mainline head of safety, Roger Walton, said: “As a society, we are all affected by vandalism and we need your help to try and combat it.”

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