National figures released by Network Rail today reveal a £43m cost to this crime-spree over the past three years, resulting in over 16,000 hours of delay nationally.

Yorkshire is a hot spot for criminals who target the cables which control vital rail infrastructure such as signals and points, causing delays to tens of thousands of trains and millions of people.

"Cable thieves are ruining the lives of thousands of passengers in West Yorkshire," said Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves. "Network Rail estimates they cost the railway industry more than £3.6 million in the last three years as they target the railway for metal to sell as scrap.

"Locally, thousands of passengers have been affected and delayed by more than 2,700 hours, which has a big effect on the region's economy."

Industry response

Methods used to deter and catch the thieves include:

• Dedicated BTP task force, increased patrols, intelligence led policing. Priority second only to terrorism.
• Network Rail has recently funded extra, dedicated officers
• Partnership working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
• National intelligence cell with members from BTP, Network Rail and soon external non-rail partners.
• Use of the Network Rail helicopter, CCTV, forensic marking, trembler alarms and other devices to protect the cable.
• Fast response teams to get trains on the move as quickly as possible.
• Introduction of new type of cable that is easier to identify and harder to steal.
• Use of approved scrap yards for disposals of used materials.

New campaign underway

British Transport Police (BTP) North Eastern Region recorded 1,184 crimes and made more than 200 arrests.

DCI Derek O'Mara of British Transport Police said: "The railways have seen significant delays and cancellations as a result of thieves cutting and stealing signalling and power cables from the side of the track.

"But we are working to tackle the issue and in the past few months have seen significant jail sentences handed down to cable thieves put before the courts.

"We are determined to send a clear message that such attacks on our critical infrastructure are unacceptable and the police and rail industry are working together to tackle the problem."

Gary Cooper, head of operations at the Association of Train Operating Companies, added: "Train companies want to do all they possibly can to reduce the number of cancellations and delays caused by cable theft, which regularly leads to considerable disruption for many of their passengers.

"Operators and the industry as a whole are determined to crack down on the thieves, whose actions lead to extra work for staff and cost of millions of pounds, money which could otherwise be invested in improving services for passengers. The thieves are also putting themselves at risk of serious injury.

"Train companies are working closely with Network Rail and BTP to reduce and eventually eliminate this dangerous and disruptive crime, but tougher measures are needed to help tackle it."

Anyone with any information about cable theft should contact British Transport Police or Crimestoppers where they can report the crime anonymously and could receive up to £1,000 reward if their information leads to a conviction.

BTP can be contacted on 0800 40 50 40 and Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.