Fears over kids throwing stones at steam trains
A GANG of school holiday yobs were today warned they could face jail after they were caught throwing missiles at a historic Midlands locomotive.
Train drivers on the Severn Valley Railway were targeted eight times in just two days as the hoodlums aimed stones and small rocks at the speeding carriages.
Concerned passengers, many of whom were children, heard thuds on the carriage roofs as the train sped along the 16-mile track from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.
With thousands of Birmingham families set to enjoy the railway over the summer holidays, parents have been warned to curb their children’s behaviour.
David Wilcox, from the Severn Valley Railway, said: “Children throwing stones at trains has been a constant problem for the railway and when it happens we take it very seriously.
“Luckily nobody has been hurt in this spate of attacks but if one of the missiles smashes through a window it could hurt a passenger as well as cost the railway a lot of money.
“Looking ahead for obstacles and possible dangers is now a big part of a train drivers job to make sure passengers are kept safe. Our message to children would be to stay away from the railway line as it is an extremely dangerous place to be.”
The incidents happened on the section of track between Stourport Road, in Kidderminster, and Bewdley with the main hotspot being Birchen Coppice.
Police today stepped up their patrols in the area and warned that trespass on a railway line carries a maximum fine of £1,000, while throwing missiles with the intent to cause injury or endanger safety carries a maximum term of life imprisonment.
Sgt Nadine Pearse, of Kidderminster Police, said: “Patrols by police and community support officers have been increased, and the details of ten children found in the area have been recorded.
“Any activity that involves causing criminal damage to trains is extremely dangerous and will be taken very seriously by the police,” she said.
“Young people should not be near train tracks at all.”
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