BRITISH Transport Police recorded 25 trespassing incidents on the railway lines at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pokesdown in one year.

Now Network Rail has issue an urgent warning about about the dangers of straying onto the lines - saying more people than ever are putting their lives at risk.

Becky Lumlock, Network Rail route managing director, said: "The railway in Bournemouth is electrified with a third rail, which means there is an extra track running along the ground that is electrified with 750 volts of electricity.

"Anyone trespassing on the railway could easily come into contact with the third rail, and the power is enough to kill a person."

Incidents of railway trespass have been increasing across Network Rail's Wessex route, which covers south London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset.

Over the past four years the totals have grown from 706 (2013) to 1,103 (2016).

Becky said: "Any amount of trespass on the railway is worrying but to see such a high concentration in and around Bournemouth in just one year is deeply concerning.

"It may seem harmless to take a shortcut, or fun to play on the tracks, but this is not only illegal, it is also very dangerous.

"Taking a shortcut or playing around on the tracks can result in serious life-changing injuries or death."

The 25 incidents of trespass in the Bournemouth area were recorded in the financial year 2016/17.