RAIL bosses have severely criticised the punishment set to be handed to a passenger who jumped on to the back of a moving train.

RAIL bosses have severely criticised the punishment set to be handed to a passenger who jumped on to the back of a moving train.

Train operator 'one' has accused transport police of failing to deter people from “playing” on Britain's railways and said the punishment of a caution was too light.

Will Shropshire of Long Melford was given the caution after jumping from the platform at Marks Tey and clinging to the back of a moving train for six minutes before falling onto the tracks shortly before the Chappel and Wakes Colne Station.

Mr Shropshire told police he was using the toilet at Marks Tey, and when he returned to the platform the train had already begun to pull away. He escaped the incident without serious injury.

Bosses at the British Transport Police said the 24-year-old, who is a member of the Sudbury Cricket Club, had contravened trespass by-laws and that if he accepts a police caution he will still have a criminal record, therefore was not being let off lightly.

But Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs for train operator One, said: “We would like to see a caution as a warning but we would prefer to see a stronger measure as a deterrent. Just a warning is light for such a dangerous act.

Mr Shropshire was unavailable for comment. If he refuses to accept the caution he could face prosecution and a £1,000 fine.