SPECIALIST officers in British Transport Police will target hotspots across the Bradford district in a new crackdown on youngsters trespassing on railway lines.

The new team will be on patrol across the county during the school holidays, aiming to ensure that children do not risk their lives or cause delays to train services.

Stretches of the Calder Valley line in Bowling, Laisterdyke, and Pudsey have been identified as priority areas in the operation, with officers on-hand throughout the summer in a bid to reduce the number of incidents.

Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan, of BTP, said: "The message is clear, we want children and young people to remain safe this summer and not risk their lives.

"These patrols are vital to reducing disruption on the railway and to crackdown on the number of incidents of trespass, obstruction on the tracks, and route crime involving items thrown at trains.

"Traditionally these incidents increase during the school holidays, risking lives and damaging and delaying train services.

"The teams will work closely in partnership from colleagues from Network Rail and train operators who are often our eyes and ears.

"I would also like to appeal to members of the public who may see anyone trespassing on the tracks or playing near the lines to report every incident to us.

"We take all reports very seriously, and this type of crime is a priority for us."

Already this month, BTP officers have dealt with a number of incidents on lines in and out of Bradford where trespassers have tried to interfere with the running of trains.

On the evening of July 1, two youths were reported on the tracks in Frizinghall, trying to place objects on the line.

On July 5, a brick was dropped from a footbridge over tracks near Bradford Interchange, with a wooden post placed on the line near the station later that same evening.

BTP said it would be using in-depth knowledge of geographical hotspots across West Yorkshire to deter people accessing the railway, using a mixture of plain clothes and uniformed patrols.

Officers are also urging parents to keep an eye on their children during the holidays to make sure they know their whereabouts.

Chief Insp McEwan said: "Apart from the obvious risk to life, trespassing endangers train passengers and drivers.

"No officer wants to have to inform parents that their child is never coming home because they were killed playing on the railway.

"Our team will be tackling this problem head-on and targeting areas where youngsters are drawn to, in a bid to crackdown on this serious problem.

"Our officers will be out there, and if you are trespassing or obstructing the railway, you will be caught and dealt with."