British Transport Police officers are sending a warning after safety fears emerged over stones being thrown at trains.
Following an incident at the weekend in Kettering where a train was taken out of action, officers are calling on youths to stay away from the rail line.
On Saturday, 16 April, stones were thrown at a train as it passed through Kettering close to the A14 road bridge at around 4pm. The stones damaged the train’s windscreen, causing it to be taken out of action when it arrived at London St. Pancras.
PC James Davies, the Investigating Officer, said:
“Easter is traditionally a time when incidents such as stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and line-side vandalism increase on the railway with children off school and the onset of the light nights.
“We are hoping that this year, by targeting hot spot areas we will reduce the number of incidents and deter the majority of youngsters from messing about on the railway.
“On Saturday, we saw a dangerous incident which left the driver understandably shaken. We urge those who think that throwing stones and other objects at passing trains is fun to consider the consequences of their actions, which could have been much worse.
“Offenders who throw objects at trains not only risk seriously injuring passengers and staff but are risking a prison term.
“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time or who can help identify those responsible to contact us as a matter of urgency.”
Officers are now viewing CCTV in the area and stepping up patrols around the line to deter youths from playing close to an area where fast-moving trains regularly pass.
