Network Rail has revealed that there was a case of trespassing on the railway every half hour on average in the year to 5 April, and that the total number of incidents reported was more than 19,300.

Compared with the previous year, the number of accumulated delay minutes rose by 15 per cent last year, making trespass one of the biggest causes of late running. It accounted for 108,168 minutes of delays to trains – equivalent to just over 1800 hours, 75 days or 225 working days.

Trespass is almost twice as likely to happen during the summer months, because more than three out of five incidents were recorded during British Summer Time. Network Rail and British Transport Police are calling on people to ‘keep themselves safe’ when they are near railway property.

A long-established programme of safety education is continuing over the summer holidays. One case used as an example of how straying on to the railway can have tragic results is that of 11-year old Harrison Ballantyne, who was killed on the line. Harrison’s story is told on the You vs Train website, which spells out the risks of crossing the lineside fence.

Parents of younger children may find more suitable details on the Switched On website, which includes education about the dangers of trespassing for all ages between 3 and 16.

Network Rail’s head of level crossings and public safety Rob Wainwright said: ‘Trespass can have a devastating impact, not just to the trespasser at risk of serious life-changing if not fatal injuries, but also on their friends and family.

‘Every year we see people taking risks, often unintentionally, because they don’t fully understand the dangers. Sometimes that ends tragically, like the case of Harrison.  As the holiday season approaches, we are once again asking parents to ensure that they and their children know all about rail safety so they can behave responsibly. Help us to get everyone to where they want to be safely and on time this summer.’