Leeds news Live: Police warn parents over kids breaking Covid rules in secret train journeys

Police have issued a warning over the incident

British Transport Police (BTP) is urging parents and carers to check on their children after large groups of youths were found travelling by train between council areas.

The force said that in 24 targeted operations since January, 43 youths have either been returned home to their parents or collected after officers discovered them travelling unaccompanied and breaching coronavirus regulations.

These include children as young as 12 who travelled from Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute to Partick in Glasgow, and others who took the train from Dalmuir in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, to Airdrie in North Lanarkshire.

BTP Inspector Chris Shields said: “We urge parents and carers to ensure they know where their children are and have conversations with them to remind them of the Covid guidelines that are currently in place.

“One of the most concerning aspects from our operations has been the number of young people we spoke to that were the opposite side of the city from where they live without parental consent or knowledge.

“The railway is not a playground and large groups of youths as young as 12 years old have resulted in increased patrols to ensure there is safeguarding in place for children and young people who are traveling on the network.

“We all have a responsibility to protect vulnerable children in our community and I would encourage people to be on the lookout for young people who might need help and report any concerns they may have so we can make sure they don’t come to any harm.

“Passengers continue to be our eyes and ears and they can help us by reporting crimes and concerns by texting 61016.”

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