YOUTHS who stray on to the wrong side of the tracks have been issued a stark warning by police - stay off the rails or you will p ay.
British Transport Police say the number of young people making a nuisance of themselves on railways and bridges is alarming, and if young people don't heed the warning to stay away from railway lines, they could face penalties, or worse, be seriously injured or killed.
This week, British Transport Police and Cheshire Police announced they will work together to deal with the number of trespassers on the railways who put both their own and others' lives at risk.
Sergeant David Rams of the Transport Police says one of the worst trouble-spots for trespassing and vandalism was on the line close to Aysgarth Avenue, off Bleasdale Road, Crewe.
He said: 'We have joined Cheshire Police working with residents and plain clothes officers to tackle the problem.
'This bridge is a particularly bad one, and it's hoped it will be closed soon to stop young people causing trouble and putting their lives in danger.'
Cheshire police community support officer (PCSO), Simon Knowles, added: 'These days we are having problems with kids drinking and sitting down by the track.'
And he warned youngsters of the consequences of loitering on the lines.
'Anyone over 16 can get a fixed penalty notice, and we've got one up in court soon, so they do get handed out.
'Our powers vary from stopping and searching to sending 'guardianship letters' to their parents so they know what their kids have been getting up to.
'There have not been any fatalities on this line yet - but one is not far off.'
And he added trespassers should be wary that residents on Aysgarth Avenue have been recording video footage of unruly youths causing trouble on the lines.
'We are saying to young people, think about the dangers, and remember, if you get caught you will face the consequences,' said PCSO Knowles.
