A STRETCH of railway track blighted by vandals and trespassers is being targeted by police in a bid to keep death off the line.
British Transport Police are to increase patrols near the line between Stockton and Billingham.
Acting Sergeant Brian Buddo said: "Fifty five per cent of train accidents are caused by vandalism. Holes made in fences by trespassers allow children to wander on to the railway, sometimes with fatal consequences.
"People don't tend to think that trespass on the railway is serious. But when there are passengers trains travelling at between 80 and 90mph, they cannot suddenly stop, cannot divert."
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