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British Transport Police (BTP) is warning Carmarthenshire residents to put safety first and stay off the tracks.

Following a number of worrying recent incidents, local officers have issued a warning on the dangers of straying onto the railway line.

PC Dai Maynard, from BTP Carmarthen, said: ^Trespass may not sound like a serious offence but, in the unforgiving environment of the railway, it can be fatal. Train drivers will not be expecting anyone other than railway workers to be on the line, and by the time they see someone trespassing, it could be too late. Anyone who trespasses onto the railway is taking a gamble with their own lives, as well as the lives of all the staff and passengers travelling on the trains.^

In issuing the warning, PC Maynard highlighted two areas of the county ^ Llangennech and Carmarthen - where recent incidents had raised particular concern.

^There have been a few instances recently where members of the public, particularly dog walkers, have been seen to trespass on the tracks near Llangennech rail station,^ added PC Maynard. ^Also, since the opening of the new KFC in Carmarthen, there have been reports of people using the railway line to gain access to the rear of the new retail complex.

^My concern is that these people may not be fully aware of the danger they are putting themselves in. These are extremely worrying incidents which could have had dire consequences, and I am concerned that unless this behaviour is nipped in the bud, it may be only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or even killed.^

Anyone caught trespassing can be handed a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) of ^50. Once a person has received one PND, any further offence may be dealt with by the courts, where they could be fined up to ^1,000.

PC Maynard said: ^Our main concern is keeping people safe. We are more interested in preventing instances of trespass and saving lives than enforcement, and I sincerely hope people heed the warning. However, we will not hesitate to take action against anyone caught trespassing on the tracks and endangering people^s safety ^ this includes anything from an on-the-spot fine to pursuing persistent offenders through the courts.

^We do not want to tell any husband or wife, mother or father, that their loved one will not be coming home. My message is simple - stay safe and stay off the tracks.^

You can report trespass and anti-social behaviour by contacting British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.