Three Angus towns have been described as hotspots for railway crime.
Increased patrols and high profile, high visibility and plain-clothes operations are being carried out by British Transport Police (BTP) in Arbroath, Monifieth and Montrose.
The Angus towns have been identified as particular hotspots for stone-throwing, putting obstructions in front of trains, trespassing and vandalism.
To crack down on these route crime offences, BTP officers are targeting “hotspot” locations during the holiday period.
Chief Superintendent Ellie Bird, area commander for the Scottish area of BTP, said, “Anyone who messes about on or near the railway puts themselves in great danger as well as the lives of staff working on the rail network and passengers travelling on trains.”
“To crack down on these route crime offences, BTP officers will target ‘hotspot’ locations-where similar incidents have been reported-and during the holiday period patrols will be increased, with high profile, high visibility and plain clothes operations in these areas.
“We are hoping that through the education work we have already done, we will reduce the number of incidents and deter youngsters from committing any of the route crime offences.
“With hard work and the support of our rail industry partners we have reduced offences during the last year, but we will never become complacent and I am personally urging all parents to emphasise the dangers and ensure youngsters keep away from the tracks during the holidays.
“If you live near a railway line, please ask yourself if you know where your children are playing.”
Education is an important part of the process, and whenever youths are stopped on the railway, officers will find out which school they attend to see if that school has a particular problem.DangersThe Easter school holidays and the onset of the lighter nights has prompted British Transport Police to warn youngsters, and their parents, about the dangers that the railways can pose.
After the holidays, officers will visit schools to educate children of the dangers and consequences of their actions.
Last year there were 65 crimes reported to British Transport Police in Angus with 33 in Arbroath, 17 in Montrose, 12 in Carnoustie, two in Barry and one in Monifieth.
There were also 10 at Stonehaven, four in Kincardine and two at Laurencekirk.
Elsewhere in Tayside, 72 offences were reported in the Dundee area, five in Broughty Ferry and 67 in Perth.
The majority were line of route offences (including trespass), which is an offence that affects the line and disrupts the trains.
This can include trespassing and stone throwing to malicious mischief and placing obstructs on the line.
Mark Henderson, Network Rail community safety manager for Scotland, said, “Sadly the school holidays do result in an increase in trespass and vandalism by young people.
“What they must realise is that their actions are not only illegal and potentially dangerous to others-they can prove fatal.”
The list of “hotspot” locations also includes Invergowrie, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Barnhill and Broughty Ferry.
The Scottish Area of British Transport Police covers the rail system and Glasgow subway. It employs 219 police officers, 10 special constables and 28 support staff.