A TOTAL of 41 teenagers were caught trespassing on Merseyside railway tracks last year, new figures have revealed.

The data, collected by British Transport Police (BTP), show that the number of youngsters who risk their lives on train tracks nationally has gone up by around 80 per cent in the last five years.

In Merseyside, there were three less cases than in 2016/17 but 14 cases more than 2015/16.

In the last 12 months alone, seven young people under the age of 18 have lost their lives and a further 48 people have received life changing injuries for trespassing across the UK.

In a bid to combat this, BTP officers have launched the 'You Vs Train' campaign to target youngsters and to show the dangerous and sometimes devastating consequences of trespassing on the UK's railway lines.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail said: “Hundreds of people each year unintentionally take on the railway and lose.

"This year we have already seen a record number of young people losing their life or being injured on the track.

“The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers.

"The electricity on the railway is always on and always dangerous.

"Trains can also travel up to 125 miles per hour, so even if a driver can see your child, they can’t stop in time and they can’t change direction.

"Parents - please help us keep your children safe by educating them about what they take on when they step on the track.”

At the heart of the You Vs Train campaign, BTP are using the story of Tom Hubbard, a young boy who suffered life-changing injuries when he was electrocuted by overhead power cables in 2014.

Tom suffered third degree burns across 57 per cent of his body and has been left to deal with physical and psychological consequences.

Watch a re-enactment of Tom's story here:

BTP assistant chief constable Robin Smith said: “We hope that by sharing Tom’s story, young people who might have previously considered trespassing on the railways will think twice.

“We want his story to be heard – the tracks are not a playground.

"They’re incredibly dangerous and, as Tom’s story shows, can easily result in serious injury or worse.

“We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks, and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines.

"Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well.

"This campaign is not just for our young people but also their friends and family.”

For more information about the campaign visit http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/