Moston a rail crime hotspot

MOSTON station, just over the Chadderton boundary, and the railway line running through it, has been named as one of the worst rail crime spots in Britain.

The station, in Hollinwood Avenue, and the track half a mile each side is used by hundreds of commuters and has been named as the ninth worst in the country.

The rating came as boxer Amir Khan launched a campaign warning children about the dangers of railway lines.

Network Rail says there were more than 15,000 incidents of rail crime reported in Britain in 2007, although it believes the real figure could be much higher.

Martin Gallagher, who runs the No Messin’ campaign for Network Rail, said: “Too many young people’s lives are lost or ruined because they decided to take a short cut or take risks on the tracks.

“We aim to give them the chance to try something much more fun at the No Messin’ Live event this summer such as canoeing, rock climbing, streetdance, archery, kickboxing, wrestling and motorcycling and much more.

“We hope to grab their interest and, working with clubs, to sustain that interest to develop their skills and keep them of the tracks for good.”