Summer holidays mean children are often left looking for amusement.

That can, sometimes, involve playing close to railway lines - putting themselves and train travellers in danger.

An urgent warning has gone out to young people in Yorkshire and the Humber as figures show trespass is on the rise across the region.

In the last year there has been a 25 per cent rise in the number of reports of trespass over the summer. And young people are twice as likely to trespass at this time of year than in winter.

“There is an attraction to the railway - the lines are usually off-the-beaten track, and there may be quite a lot of trees or vegetation, so they think they can explore and play without being seen,” says Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan of the British Transport Police.

“The longer hours of daylight in summer, coupled with warm weather mean children are out a lot more, looking for places to play.”

Incidents can happen anywhere on the network, but some sections of the railway attract a higher number. “We don’t receive calls every day, but some locations are likely to crop up each week.”

These include Duckett’s level crossing near Dick Lane in Thornbury and the footbridge at Dalcross Grove, West Bowling and Whitehall Junction near Wkye.

Issues range from pedestrians failing to properly use the crossing to trespass, stone throwing, deliberately obstructing the line and endangering lives.

Over the past decade almost 170 young people in the UK have lost their lives after trespassing on the railway. Half of those killed are aged under 25.

“We get people failing to follow procedure at crossings and at other points children might cross to take a short cut or may hang around the line, playing. It can be frightening for the drivers who spot trespassers, not knowing what they are going to do,” says Chief Insp McEwan. “They slow down and then the next service has to travel more slowly - it impacts upon a lot of people as well as putting the trespassers themselves in great danger.” .

Stone throwing is not a common occurrence but when it does happen the consequences can be serious. “In many cases it only breaks the outer skin, but it can smash the window and shards of glass can cause injuries,” says Chief Insp McEwan.

Obstructions placed on the line, either intentionally or unintentionally, include shopping trolleys, pieces of wood or traffic cones. “They are sometimes thrown from bridges,and items like coins can be put on the tracks by children wanting to see what will happen to them.

“Children don’t think it through - they are enjoying playing, they are thinking ‘let’s see what happens to the train when it hits the object.

“The worst consequence of an obstruction can be that a train is derailed or seriously damaged, and of course people - including the perpetrators - could be seriously injured or killed .”

Network Rail carry out periodic rail-side clean ups to remove items that could be used in this way.

Disruption caused by incidents can have a knock-on effect across the country. “If it affects cross-country services it could impact upon services in Plymouth,” says DI McEwan, “And with freight it can displace trains heading to Europe and affect services there too.”

The BTP carry out preventative work with Network Rail, visiting schools and youth clubs to talk about rail safety issues. “We speak to schools close to railways, or children who may use trains to travel to school,” says DI McEwan. “We also carry out leaflet drops. We work together to look at different options.”

“Educating people is an important part of our work,” says DI McEwan. “We also talk to adults in localities where incidents occur.”

Should they see youngsters throwing stones, a person behaving suspiciously near the line or another incident, members of the public can text BTP on a non-emergency number.

Additional patrols are also implemented throughout summer “We have joint patrols, in which BTP and Network Rail staff go together,” says DI McEwan.

BTP also work with Northern Rail in designing out crime looking at issues like fencing, making bridge parapets more secure and crime reduction in general.

Vicki Beadle, community safety manager from Network Rail says: “We are urging parents to remind their children that if they are on the railway they are on dangerous ground.”

Adds Chief Insp McEwan: “The last thing we want to do is knock on someone’s door to tell a parent their child has been killed or seriously injured.”

*To report an incident text BTP on 61016