Police today warned children to stay away from railway lines after youngsters were spotted playing by a track.

A resident called the police after seeing children playing by the line between Dovercourt and Harwich Town station.

Police went to the scene but the children had gone when they arrived at just after 4pm on Saturday.

Trains were put on caution but drivers did not see anyone on the track.

PC Phil Harrod, of British Transport Police, urged parents to explain the dangers to their children. He said: "The line goes through housing down there and children do stray on to the line."

He said there had been incidents in the past where children had had a lucky escape.

It is a criminal offence to trespass on to railway property.

PC Harrod said: "It is highly dangerous. It is not a playground."

Published Tuesday, March 19, 2002