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Melbourne train surfers risking lives

FIRST ON 7: There's been a spike in the number of Melbourne teenagers risking their lives train surfing.

Police have launched an investigation, after 7News provided them with vision and details of a social media account where the teens brag about their dangerous exploits.

Train surfers hang on for their lives at 110km per hour, clinging to the back of the carriage as it speeds through the station.

“It can result in serious injury, electrocution or even death,” says Charles Allen from Victoria Police.

They're not only doing it for a thrill either, the bandits also brazenly graffiti the back of the train while it's moving.

The men balance on the train coupling, up to three people at a time.

This is a significant problem for us - our trains can travel at 80km hour in the city, and 110km an hour in the suburbs,” Metro spokesperson Larisa Tait said.

Last year, there were 109 incidents of train surfing captured by Metro CCTV cameras, and between January and July this year there have been 48.

Teenage train surfers have set up an Instagram account, boasting of their exploits on social media.

So confident of not being caught, the group has posted hundreds of videos and images, which show them vandalising trains.

Police say train surfing is increasing across the network and transit officers are investigating the Instagram site after 7News provided them with evidence.

Once a driver realises the back of the carriage has been damaged, the train immediately comes out of service to have the windscreen replaced causing yet more delays for commuters.

In the last financial year, Metro spent more than $1 million replacing 474 windscreens, which were scratched by vandals.

If caught train surfing, adult offenders face fines of $354, while children are slapped with a $72 infringement notice.