Rail industry launches campaign after more than 19,000 trespass incidents

• Rail industry’s new safety campaign reminds public of life-threatening risk of trespass  

• Dinusha Ilanperuma shares her story of how she almost lost her life 10 years ago 

• More than 19,000 trespass incidents were recorded in 2024/25

The rail industry is reminding the public of the fatal risks of trespassing on the railway as it launches a new phase of its‘No Second Chances’ safety campaign. 

Research shows that people severely underestimate the dangers of trespassing on the railway. This includes entering the railway to retrieve dropped items, crossing the tracks to save time on a journey, or even standing too close to the line.   

There were more than 19,000 recorded trespass incidents on the railway network in 2024/25, resulting in 19 accidental fatalities and 85 people being seriously injured. 

Someone who experienced the danger first hand is Dinusha Ilanperuma from Surrey. Ten years ago, aged just 15, Dinusha stepped onto the tracks to retrieve one of her shoes when coming home from a party with friends. As she climbed back onto the platform, she slipped, making contact with the electrified rail.  

Dinusha was electrocuted and suffered catastrophic injuries as a result. She was rushed to hospital and underwent skin grafts for the third degree burns on her left arm, back and foot. Dinusha spent two weeks in hospital and had to learn to use her arm again due to suffering extensive nerve damage. 

A decade on, Dinusha wants to help raise awareness of the dangers of trespassing on the railway to help other people to stay safe.  

Dinusha Ilanperuma, showing the scars she suffered after being electrocuted  

Dinusha Ilanperuma said: “I’m lucky to be alive. I still have the scars from that night, and it so easily could have been much worse.  

“My friends had to watch as I was electrocuted. When I woke up in the hospital, people told me they could smell the burnt flesh on my skin. It was horrible hearing that. I don’t want anyone to ever have to experience what I went through. 

“I want people to stop and think. To realise the dangers of trespassing on the railway. To ask themselves: is that really worth risking my life over?” 

Louise McNally, Trespass Prevention Specialist at Network Rail said: “Trains and the railway are an integral part of our society, and our railways in Britain are among the safest in Europe. But that safety depends on respecting the railway and not trespassing – no matter how briefly. 

“Trains can travel upwards of 100 mph and weigh 600 tonnes. They’re faster and quieter than ever. And that’s not to mention the electrified rails and overhead wires, the latter of which carry tens of thousands of volts of electricity. That’s why we’re urging people to think again before they trespass on the railway.  

“This campaign isn’t about criminalising or shaming people. We understand that people trespass because they don’t fully understand the dangers. This is about making people realise that if you trespass on the railway, the consequences could be dire.”  

British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Inspector Joe Gorman said: “Trespassing on the railway is never worth the risk. It’s illegal and puts lives in immediate danger. As police officers we respond to trespass incidents every day and the consequences of some are catastrophic. 

“Anyone trespassing not only risks serious injury or worse, but also causes major disruption for passengers across the rail network. This is why campaigns like this continue to be so important. We’re urging everyone to respect the railway, keep off the tracks and stay safe. If you see anyone trespassing, report it to us by texting us on 61016, or dial 999 in an emergency.” 

The impact of trespass on rail performance is also significant. Trespass incidents caused over one million minutes of delays to passengers and cost the rail industry an estimated £67 million in 2024/25. 

As part of the campaign Network Rail is issuing a toolkit across the rail industry to help raise public awareness of the dangers of trespassing.  

The campaign also forms part of a wider rail industry commitment to reducing unsafe behaviour around the railway. It comes ahead of the introduction of statutory rail safety education in schools in England from September 2026.  

Resources are available for younger people on Network Rail’s ‘Switched On’ website, including educational videos, classroom posters, and learning posters.