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Bride and groom posing for pictures on train track among 5,000 trespassing incidents on the railways

Written by on 20/10/2020

A bride and groom posing for wedding pictures were among more than 5,000 incidents of railway trespassing between June and September this year.

A total of 1,239 incidents of people trespassing on the UK’s railways was recorded in September alone – up 17% year on year.

Many of the 5,100 cases involved people using the railway network as a backdrop for their photographs.

The bridal party were captured on CCTV near Whitby, North Yorkshire, in July, using the tracks for a photoshoot.

Also in the list of infringements is Hollyoaks actor Ellis Hollins, who was forced to apologise after he posted pictures of himself from a locomotive-themed photo shoot on his social media.

Hollins said it was “irresponsible” and admitted he had been “careless to take part in such a dangerous situation”.

Superintendent Alison Evans, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: “The railway is not an appropriate or safe setting for a photographic backdrop, no matter how scenic the setting.

“Every time someone strays onto the rail network, they are not only putting themselves at risk of serious, life-threatening injury, but also delaying essential journeys.”

Network Rail and the BTP have launched its You vs Train campaign, to highlight the problem of young people trespassing.

The number of incidents involving young people at 51 sites in the UK has fallen for two years in a row.

Allan Spence, of Network Rail, said: “Wedding photos or selfies on the track are just plain stupidity.

“We often warn families at this time of year as kids enjoy school half-term holidays but this time we are appealing to adults in particular.

“Please, make sure you know the rail safety basics and pass that knowledge onto your loved ones. Lead by example and stay off the tracks.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Bride and groom posing for pictures on train track among 5,000 trespassing incidents on the railways