Footage of children playing on railway tracks in the Bradford district have been released to highlight the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

In the video, taken three weeks ago in Shipley, three boys can also be seen playing on the tracks and using their phones on the railway.

They are also seen throwing items at overhead lines carrying 25,000 volts of electricity - a potentially fatal game.

Another image released shows a child cycling along the tracks.

The footage has been released by Network Rail, British Transport Police, and Northern Rail to coincide with the start of a campaign to tackle the issue of trespass, with more than 900 instances recorded across Yorkshire last year.

The campaign is mainly aimed at young people, as research shows they are more likely to trespass on tracks - particularly during school holidays.

It highlights the dangers of trespassing and urges young people not to risk their lives, as well as encouraging parents to warn their children of the dangers.

Hayley Bull, community safety manager at Network Rail, said: “The footage is absolutely shocking. Young people in particular need to realise that they are risking their lives when they choose to trespass on the railway.

“We invest lots of time and money into keeping people safe on the railway but we need users to do their bit too.

"It may seem harmless to take a shortcut, or fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also very dangerous.

"Taking a shortcut or messing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death.”

Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan, from BTP, said: “We believe the number of children we encounter trespassing every year is sadly just the tip of the iceberg.

“Every single day we are called to the tracks to incidents similar to those captured in the footage.

"Train drivers regularly have to sound their horn or apply their emergency brake in a desperate bid to avoid youths on the line, who then run off, seemingly unaware of the danger they have put themselves in.

“We continue to do all we can to keep youngsters safe by patrolling areas where we know they’re likely to trespass and preventing them from doing so.

“However, we cover thousands of miles of track and we cannot tackle this issue alone. That is why we are urging parents and young people to heed this warning and take a reality check when it comes to trespass. It’s not a game: they are real tracks, with real trains and real-life consequences.”

Paul Barnfield, regional director for Northern, added: “It is truly unbelievable that anyone would risk their life by trespassing on the railway.

"Sadly many young people seem to be drawn to the tracks and their actions not only put themselves at risk of injury, but also have a significant impact on the running of the railway.

“We fully support the drive by BTP and Network Rail to educate young people about the potential consequences of trespassing, and will continue to work with partners and local schools to assist in this vital programme.”

To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit Network Rail's website.

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