Copper price drives big increase in cable thefts

THE number of cable thefts from railways across Yorkshire rose dramatically last year transport police revealed yesterday as officers raised awarenesss of the problem in Castleford, one of the worst hit areas in the country.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Jan 2011, 22:22 BST
Updated 17th Jan 2011, 22:22 BST

In Castleford alone British Transport Police (BTP) said it dealt with five offences in 2009 but this rose to 41 in 2010. In Yorkshire as a whole there were 529 offences, last year, in comparison with 273 in 2009.

Yesterday transport police, along with officers from West Yorkshire Police and Network Rail took part in a day of action targeting cable theft from the railway in the town, carrying out patrols and seeking urging the public to report anything suspicious.

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Det Sgt Sellers of BTP, said: "After terrorism, cable theft is one of the biggest issues currently facing the rail industry.

"Each year the actions of thieves cost Network Rail hundreds of thousands of pounds in repairs and result in countless delays and cancellations and huge associated compensation costs.

"This has been a particular problem in the north east of England and Yorkshire which, since the start of 2010, has seen a marked increase in the number of thefts committed on the railway."

Castleford is one of the biggest hot spots for cable thefts nationally.

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The rise in crime is driven by the price of copper in particular and transport police say there's a significant correlation between the rise in value and the amount of crimes. Currently it is at its highest since 2007.

Related topics:Network RailBritish Transport PoliceCastlefordYorkshireWest Yorkshire PoliceEngland