Scouts Tackle Railway Crime
taken from Scout Base 11/12/08Geoff Hoon MP met Cub Scouts in London yesterday for the launch of a new Scout programme of activities tackling railway safety.
The Secretary of State for Transport was at St Pancras Station with 30 Cub Scouts to launch the new Cub Scout Personal Safety Badge.
Sponsored by Serco Integrated Transport, the new badge looks at how to travel safely on the railways and the dangers of trespassing and vandalism.
Geoff said, "I am delighted that the Scouts are spearheading this brilliant initiative to show over 100,000 young people how to travel safely by train, and to act in a responsible way when they visit their local train station."
The announcement comes as it is revealed that railway crime adds a staggering twenty two pence to every journey made on UK railways. Rail crime includes trespassing, vandalism, stone throwing, obstructing the railway and endangering safety.
The rail industry spends over £260m every year on tackling rail crime including repairing damaged trains and tracks, replacing staff who have been injured, and in delays to trains.
Over 42,000 Personal Safety Badge resource packs have been requested so far, making it the most popular Scout programme available.
Jade, a nine year old Cub Scout from London said, "It has been brilliant doing our Personal Safety badge. We have learnt loads of things about how to act safely on a train and about how to help other people. My favourite bit was when we went to see our local station and met the train driver!"
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