Safety warning after rail detonators stolen from plant in South Yorkshire

While these pieces of equipment are not said to pose a wider risk to the public, the devices are detonated when a train travels over them making a very loud sound and slight explosion, but they are used by trained professionals under strict safety guidelines.

The detonaters were among a number of pieces of equipment that were stolen from a railway plant in the Kirk Sandall area this morning at about 9.40am.

Acting Insp Andy Coulter, from Doncaster, said: “Rail detonators are small devices placed on rail tracks to alert people who are working on the line that a train is approaching. As such, I’d like to ask that if you do see these items, not to touch them but instead to call us on 101."

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 253 of 3 March 2017 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.