WORRIED residents called police after two children were seen trespassing on Altrincham railway line yesterday evening – and allegedly stuck metal on the track.

Police officers and British Transport Police scrambled to Altrincham railway line on Sunday after reports two young boys were seen trespassing.

Witnesses claim the children, aged between 10-12 years old, placed metal railway fixings on the rail track at around 4.40pm.

A concerned resident said: “As I live next to the railway line, I was shocked and very worried for the two children that were on the live railway line.

“The line is used by both passenger and freight trains and I dread to think about the consequences as trains can take such a long time to stop and anyone on the track would not stand a chance.

“Officers from GMP and British Transport Police attended very quickly due to the safety concerns for the children and the metal fixing that had been purposely left on the railway track were removed.

“This should act as a timely reminder that trespassing on railways can only have one consequence and for parents, you don't want the knock on your front door from police officers to tell you devastating and life changing news about your child.”

In the past ten years, almost 170 young people have lost their lives after trespassing, with half of those killed are under the age of 25.

As the summer months approach, more incidents abound.

During the summer 2016 safety campaign, Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden from BTP said: “The last thing our officers want to do is knock on someone’s door to tell a parent their child has been killed or seriously injured as a result of trespassing.”

He added: “It’s not a game: they are real tracks, with real trains and real life consequences.”