Shocking footage of two yob teens lobbing a bike onto a live train track has been labelled a 'wake up call' to parents.
Alarming footage taken at Crossgates train station in Leeds has been slammed by safety bosses after it showed the two hooded youths throwing the cycles onto the railway line.
In the footage, one of the teenagers can be seen seen cycling up to the station before leaving his bike on the edge of the platform.
After he leaves, his friend emerges from behind a brick wall to chuck the bicycle down onto the track, before fleeing.
The boys appear to be in their early teens, and were wearing a face covering with their hoods down.
Vicki Beadle, operations risk advisor for Network Rail, has now urged parents to talk to their children to avoid future incidents after highlighting the danger presented to themselves and others by their actions.
She said: “I was astounded to see this reckless, irresponsible behaviour so close to the tracks at Cross Gates station.
“The railway is no place for games, and it certainly isn’t a playground. Seeing these young people put their lives at risk was a staggering reminder of our collective need to educate everybody about railway safety.
"I’d urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the devastating consequences of trespass, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.”
It is just the latest incident to blight Cross Gates station, with trespass, vandalism and antisocial behaviour causing more than 300 minutes of train delays to passengers over the last 12 months.
The impact has been felt by the taxpayer as well, with Network Rail footing a £20,000 bill in the past year, reports Leeds Live.
Sgt Rob Pile, of British Transport Police, who works with the rail company to crack down on anti-social behaviour, said the footage should act as a “wake up call” to parents.
He said: "This shocking footage should act as a wake-up call to parents - we need them to talk to their children and teenagers urgently about the dangers of the railway and the impact of reckless behaviour like this.
"Apart from the obvious danger to themselves, placing items on the tracks can potentially cause a derailment and result in serious injury and potential loss of life to passengers and rail staff.
He added the force had increased patrols in the area in a bid "to deter behaviour like this", and warned those responsible should know they "will be caught" and face prosecution.
