Fortnight of action to target level crossing misuse

Smithy Bridge level crossing

Level crossings in the borough will be visited over the next two weeks by British Transport Police to urge the public to do their level best to stay safe when using crossings.

In the latest phase of Operation Look, a fortnight of action (14-26 November), a Level Crossing Mobile Safety Vehicle will be located at crossings around the country and officers and Network Rail staff will be handing out leaflets to educate people around the dangers of level crossing misuse.

Inspector Michelle Wedderburn said: "While the majority of offences are committed by motorists, we also want to make sure pedestrians are aware of the dangers too.

“We’ll be stepping up our activity during the next few weeks to ensure we speak to as many people as possible about using crossings safely.

“People have just got into the habit of taking risks at the crossing and are jumping red lights, and this has to stop. There is no excuse for jumping the lights at a level crossing and the consequences of doing so could be fatal.

“We are more interested in educating people and saving lives but we will also prosecute anyone who is caught jumping level crossing lights in the hope that this will make them think twice in future.“

Level Crossing Mobile Safety Vehicles are funded by Network Rail and operated by BTP officers. Each vehicle is equipped with CCTV facilities and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology, and has access to the Police National Computer.

The vehicles form part of a wider effort to make people more aware of how to use level crossings safely and the dangers and consequences of misusing them.