Prizes up for grabs as teenagers in Worcestershire urged to keep off railway tracks

Teenagers in Worcestershire are being invited to get creative to help to warn others about the dangers of trespassing on the railway - and win prizes along the way.

The Backtrack campaign has been launched by the Community Rail Network following a 25% surge in the number of trespass incidents across the country during the national lockdown.

The Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and West Midlands Railway are urging children aged between 11 and 18 to take part in the campaign by creating a video, song, rap or storyboard which shares the anti-trespassing message.

Six national winners of the competition will receive a state-of-the-art GoPro camera, while anyone living in Worcestershire will also be entered into prize draws to win music vouchers courtesy of the CRP.

Peter Chapman, from the Worcestershire CRP, said:

"Getting the anti-trespass message across to teenagers is so important, particularly at this time of lockdown easing.

"Our CRP is delighted to be able to support locally this national initiative from the Community Rail Network.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said:

"Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous. It causes thousands of hours of delays every year and can result in serious injury or death. The penalty for going on the railway is a fine of up to £1,000.

"I am pleased to support this campaign by Worcestershire CRP and the wider Community Rail Network and I look forward to seeing the creative efforts of our young passengers."

Entries are open now until September 30. Videos must be recorded from the entrant's home or garden - not near the railway - and must not contain any violence.

For more information on the national campaign click here and for more on the Worcestershire competition visit the CRP website here.