Children told to play away from railways

POLICE have warned children to stay clear of the Capital's rail network after it emerged that youths have been caught trespassing at Waverley and Haymarket.

The British Transport Police (BTP) said youngsters were risking their lives by playing close to the tracks, with recent trespassing incidents at Haymarket, Waverley and Edinburgh Park.

Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird, area commander for the Scottish area of BTP, said: "Easter is traditionally a time when route crime incidents such as stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and line-side vandalism increase.

"Anyone who messes about on or near the railway put themselves in great danger, as well as the lives of staff working on the rail network and passengers travelling on trains."

Mark Henderson, Network Rail community safety manager for Scotland, added: "

It can take the length of 20 football pitches for a fast train to stop and, if you get hit by a train, there is only ever going to be one winner."