ARRIVA Trains Northern and British Transport Police have joined forces to warn of the dangers of playing on railway lines.

The train operator is working on a number of initiatives in conjunction with BTP aimed at cutting avoidable deaths and injuries.

Figures for 2001/2 show there were 2,357 incidents of railway trespass in the region and the overall trend is falling.

But some crimes such as missile throwing at trains are on the up and 46 were recorded in the last period.

Ray Price, Arriva Trains Northern managing director, said: "With the light nights and children on their summer break this is the time when the temptation to investigate new places to play can be greater than ever.

"We need parents to help us remind youngsters that to fool around near railway lines is very dangerous.

"They need to be encouraged to play safe and not put themselves in a position where people could be hurt or killed."

Arriva and BTP have been delivering warning leaflets to local communities where railway trespass is a problem.

A programme of "train shadowing" has also begun which involves a police officer travelling in selected train cabs and reporting trespassers to a mobile crew following the train route by car.

This is designed to provide a rapid response to any incidents.

Danny Snee, Chief Inspector, British Transport Police, said: "Our message is keep away from the tracks and do not put yourselves in danger.

"Those who ignore the warnings and commit offences will face prosecution."

Last month 17-year-old Ben Woods, from Hurworth, near Darlington, lost his left arm and a leg when he was struck by a train on the East Coast Mainline.

He was walking on the tracks and stepped into the path of an oncoming GNER express.

And in June a Virgin train driver was injured when youngsters playing "chicken" on a railway line in Albert Hill, Darlington, threw a brick at his cab, smashing the windscreen.

A BTP freephone telephone number (0800) 405040 is available to call and report trespassers or anyone acting suspiciously near railways.