Police say youths who placed concrete on Peterborough rail tracks were ‘dicing with death’

Police are on the hunt for a group of four youths who placed concrete blocks on a Peterborough rail line on Saturday March 19. Archant

Police have fired out a warning to a group of youths who were seen placing concrete troughing lids on railway tracks that they were ‘dicing with death’.

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A group of four teenagers, who police say were approximately 15-year-old, were seen placing concrete lids that cover signalling cables onto the tracks underneath Frank Perkins Way overbridge near Beluga Close at around midday on Saturday March 19.

A train travelling between Peterborough and Cambridge later struck the lids, but luckily no-one was injured.

PC Daniel Hanna said: “The train struck a number of concrete troughing lids and a tree branch which had been placed across the tracks. Fortunately no-one was injured which was extremely lucky.

“We investigated a similar incident in the same location in November last year, and are looking into if the two are linked.

“The group ran off towards Stanground, Peterborough, when the train hit the concrete. Not only are they risking their own lives trespassing on the tracks, but also the lives of passengers and staff on the train. This was completely reckless, dangerous behaviour and we would like your help in tracing those responsible.

“If you live in the area please also speak to your children about the dangers of the railway and the consequences of their actions to them and others. It is believed the group may have photographed themselves on the railway line and I am also keen to hear from anyway who may have seen these images on social media.”

If you have any information please contact BTP on 0800 405040 or text 61016, quoting reference 192 of 4/4. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.