POLICE were today issuing a warning to parents to stop their children trespassing on East Lancashire’s railways after eight near-misses in less than a month.

British Transport Police have been spreading the word about the dangers of playing on the lines to schoolchildren as part of a community initiative.

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A two-week Streetwise event, held at Witton Park High School in Blackburn, included presentations and engagement sessions with five BTP officers who talked to the youngsters about the potentially fatal consequences.

There have been eight incident so far this month, varying from criminals using the lines to escape the police at Mill Hill on June 2 to accidents, including one on June 1 when a man fell off the platform at Blackburn station, sustaining minor injuries.

A driver heading through Nelson reported three men on the tracks on June 4, while a passerby texted police to say there was someone walking down the tracks near Cherry Tree.

On June 10 two youths were seen close to the lines at Clitheroe and a day later another was spotted taking a short cut in Nelson.

Two incidents were serious. On June 14 there was a near-miss at a foot crossing at Hapton and on June 18 a man jumped from the platform at Clitheroe.

Officers used this week’s event to emphasise the dangers of playing near railway lines, particularly during school holidays.

PCSO Dax Byrne-Turner said: “These initiatives are vital as they educate children about the dangers of trespassing on the railway, and the effects of stone throwing and obstructing tracks.

“We emphasise not just the risk of injury and death but also the delays, cancellations and disruption they cause. We also emphasise the consequences of a criminal record and how it can affect employment prospects and travel to certain countries.

“However, there is only so much we can do; it is vital that parents take these issues seriously, discuss them and make sure they know their children’s whereabouts particularly during the summer when incidents of trespass increase.”