Brickfields level crossing near Upminster stays shut after children filmed taking risks
Network Rail closed Brickfields level crossing in Havering on 30 September after survey cameras showed children and teenagers doing handstands and playing "chicken" with trains. The closure has been extended until local school pupils have had safety briefings.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Network Rail closed Brickfields level crossing, near Upminster in the London Borough of Havering, on 30 September as an emergency safety measure, initially for 21 days. Daily MirrorL “The temporary closure of the east London level crossing was put in place on September 30 and was going to be in place for 21 days as an emergency safety measure.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “Brickfields crossing was closed on September 30 as an emergency measure, initially for a 21-day period.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2Camera footage from a Network Rail level crossing survey showed children and teenagers performing handstands, using their phones, racing across to beat a train, walking on anti-trespass boards and deliberately playing "chicken" with oncoming trains. Daily MirrorL “This included performing handstands, using their phones, racing across to beat a train, walking on the anti-trespass boards and deliberately playing "chicken" with oncoming trains.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “Surveillance captured during a routine crossing survey showed children and teenagers risking their lives in a series of reckless acts” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2About 230 trains use the line through Brickfields every day. Daily MirrorL “About 230 trains use the railway line through Brickfields every day” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “Roughly 230 trains use the line through Brickfields each day” Read at GB News ↗
Left · 1Network Rail has extended the closure "while action is taken to address the serious misuse observed", saying the behaviour put children at "significant risk of serious injury or death through distraction". Daily MirrorL “But Network Rail has now said that this will be extended further "while action is taken to address the serious misuse observed".”“children placing themselves at "significant risk of serious injury or death through distraction"” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Mixed · 2The crossing will stay shut until every year group at local schools has received a presentation on the dangers of misusing level crossings and trespassing, delivered by Network Rail with British Transport Police and local partners. Daily MirrorL “Network Rail said the closure will remain in place until all year groups in local schools have been educated on the dangers of misusing level crossings and trespassing on the railway.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “The crossing will not reopen until every year group at the relevant schools has received the safety briefing.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2Shenel Bullock of Network Rail Anglia called it a "difficult decision", acknowledged the inconvenience to local people, and asked parents, carers, teachers and the community to reinforce the safety message. Daily MirrorL “We understand this closure may inconvenience some local people, but we cannot ignore the significant risks posed by this behaviour.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “We are asking parents, carers, teachers and the wider community to help us reinforce this vital safety message.” Read at GB News ↗
Mixed · 2A diversion is in place via Nightingale Avenue, Moore Lane, Front Lane and St Marys Lane. Daily MirrorL “A diversion is now in place via Nightingale Avenue, Moore Lane, Front Lane and St Marys Lane” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ GB NewsR “pedestrians are being directed along an alternative route via Nightingale Avenue, Moore Lane, Front Lane and St Marys Lane.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1GB News reports that anyone seeing dangerous behaviour near the railway can contact British Transport Police on 61016 by text or 0800 40 50 40, and links the case to Network Rail's "No Second Chances" campaign. GB NewsR “Anyone witnessing dangerous behaviour near the railway can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”“The incidents echo the warnings of Network Rail's "No Second Chances" campaign” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Straightforward safety-notice report led by Network Rail's warning of "significant risk of serious injury or death".
- Emphasis
- Network Rail's statements, the list of behaviours, and the closure extension.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No British Transport Police contact details or reference to the "No Second Chances" campaign.
- Charged language
- “playing "chicken"”
- For example
-
“The "unsafe behaviour" saw children placing themselves at "significant risk of serious injury or death through distraction".” — Daily Mirror
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Frames the story around "brazen teens" and reckless acts caught on surveillance, with more dramatic wording.
- Emphasis
- Surveillance footage, how disturbing the acts were, BTP involvement and a reporting number.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not quote Network Rail's "significant risk of serious injury or death through distraction" wording.
- Charged language
- “brazen teens”“Most disturbingly”“alarming behaviour”
- For example
-
“Most disturbingly, some were filmed deliberately playing "chicken" with oncoming trains” — GB News
What every side reports
- Brickfields crossing was closed on 30 September for an initial 21 days and the closure has been extended.
- Network Rail survey footage showed children and teenagers doing handstands, playing "chicken" and racing trains.
- About 230 trains use the line daily.
- The crossing stays closed until local school year groups get safety briefings.
- A pedestrian diversion runs via Nightingale Avenue, Moore Lane, Front Lane and St Marys Lane.
Network Rail organisation
Says safety is its absolute priority, that the behaviour is an unacceptable safety risk, and that the closure lets it assess further measures while schools are briefed.
“The extremely concerning behaviour observed represents an unacceptable safety risk to those involved, railway staff and passengers.” — Daily Mirror
“This temporary closure gives us the opportunity to assess what further measures may be needed to keep people safe.” — Daily Mirror
Left1 article
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Brickfields level crossing closed as children seen doing handstands beside train tracks
Neutral Reports the closure and Network Rail's statements plainly, with the safety warning leading.
Centre1 article
Right1 article
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GB NewsR ·
Busy railway crossing closed after brazen teens caught doing handstands by train tracks
Alarmist Presents the children as "brazen" and the footage as "alarming", adding BTP contact details.
- 12 Oct 17:42 First Daily MirrorL Brickfields level crossing closed as children seen doing handstands beside train tracks
- 12 Oct 21:48 +4h 6m GB NewsR Busy railway crossing closed after brazen teens caught doing handstands by train tracks
- 13 Oct 07:29 +13h 47m Evening StandardN London railway crossing shut after children 'play chicken' with trains and do handstands on tracks
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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