KEIGHLEY youngsters are being warned about the dangers of trespassing on railway lines.

The warning came from British Transport Police (BTP), which said trespassing onto tracks was on the rise across the region.

BTP said youngsters were twice as likely to trespass in summer rather than winter.

Vicki Beadle, of Network Rail, said: “We are urging parents to remind their children that if they are on the railway, they are on dangerous ground. It may seem like a good idea to take a shortcut, or like fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also dangerous.

“As the railway gets busier and we electrify more lines to improve services, we must work harder to keep young people safe by making them aware of the dangers that exist. Taking a short cut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death.”

Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan, of BTP, said: “The last thing our officers want to do is knock on someone’s door to tell a parent their child has been killed or seriously injured as a result of trespassing.”

For safety tips, visit networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/information-for-parents/.