The British Transport Police (BTP) has stepped up patrols around railway lines after figures revealed that children are twice as likely to trespass on train tracks over the summer months, compared with winter.

Almost 600 instances of trespassing were reported last August, compared to less than 300 in December, according to new figures from Network Rail.

In the last ten years, nearly 170 young people have lost their lives while trespassing on the tracks with just less than half of those being under the age of 25.

Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of all trespassers who died over the last 10 years were struck by a train, while 17 per cent were electrocuted, with the remaining 11 per cent falling from structures or trains.

Most trespassers (42 per cent) that are caught say they were taking a shortcut, while 19 per cent were thrill-seeking.

Posters and signs will be put up at trespass hotspots, but with 10,000 miles of track to cover, the BTP has called out to parents to hammer home the message.