Network Rail No Messin’ campaign urges Lambeth teens off the rails

Train bosses are calling for Lambeth teens not to risk their lives or the lives of others on the tracks - after shots were fired, and bricks hurled at trains last year by suspects believed to be disaffected youths.

Dozens of teens also risked their lives trespassing on train lines and “playing chicken” with speeding trains, according to Network Rail.

A worrying list of incidents in and around the borough’s stations has been released by the rail provider as it launched its 2009 campaign to stop young people putting lives at risk on the railway.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “The No Messin’ campaign aims to get kids to do something positive with their lives rather than put their lives at risk by trespassing onto the tracks, and endangering other people by causing hazards for speeding trains.”

In 2008 a firework was fired in West Norwood station, smashing a train window, and shots were fired twice at trains by Gipsy Hill and Streatham stations, again smashing windows.

A bike was thrown on to the tracks in front of an oncoming train in Streatham Hill, and a brick thrown at a train in Crystal Palace.

The spokesman said: “What is just as much a concern is the number of kids who trespass on to the tracks to play chicken with trains, or spray grafitti.

“They could electrocute themselves or get hit by the train, and in both circumstances there is only going to be one winner.”

The campaign involves the rail provider funding youth groups and community organisations, to provide opportunities to get young people off the tracks - and on to the right track.

Lambeth boxing club Fitzroy Lodge is the latest to benefit from the scheme, receiving new boxing equipment.

Champion boxer Amir Khan, who is fronting the campaign, said: “Young people need to know that messing about on the tracks is not what earns them respect.”

There were 1,060 recorded incidents of trespass and 412 incidents of vandalism in Greater London in 2008.