Expensive delays as cable thieves damage region's rail services

In North and West Yorkshire the copper cable thefts led to delays of 775 hours, compared to 720 hours in South Yorkshire. Compensation costs were more than 900,000 in South Yorkshire and more than 700,000 in North and West Yorkshire.

Today Network Rail called for people to support the company in stopping the thieves and preventing further disruption to the railways.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail, said: "The theft of cable is a constant drain on our resources and cause of considerable disruption to rail services. This is not acceptable.

"We are already carrying out considerable work to deter thieves and to respond to incidents quickly in order to minimise delay.

"Today I am calling on local people to act as our eyes and ears and to report suspicious activities to Crimestoppers – they could receive up to 1,000 reward."

Mr Lungmuss said that there was a "direct link between the price of copper and the number of cable crimes committed." As the price of copper has soared on the world markets by about 40 per cent in the past year, to 5,200 a ton, criminals have increasingly been targeting the copper communication cables laid next to railway lines.

The value of thefts over the past year is thought to have approached 400m nationwide.

Mr Lungmuss added: "We will continue to explore what more we can do with police, the wider community and other organisations affected by metal crime to remove the market for illegally- obtained scrap metal."

New types of surveillance equipment have now been installed on the region's railways. These include CCTV and trembler devices that set off an alarm when cables are disturbed.

Increasingly, copper cable is also now being buried.

Detective Inspector Brian Buddo from British Transport Police (BTP) said: "After the threat of terrorism, the theft of cable still remains one of BTP's biggest challenges.

"We have made some real inroads in driving down cable crime throughout Yorkshire, and have witnessed a 12 per cent reduction in the number of offences across the area reduction in the number of offences across the area.

"This has been achieved through a partnership approach to tackling the issues, proactive policing and great work in arresting and bringing cable thieves to justice.

"Although this reduction is great news it is making us more determined and committed to reducing the number of crimes, and tracking down the criminals who target the railway by constantly looking for ways to stay one step ahead."

As soon as a copper cable is cut, trains are halted to protect members of the public – resulting in significant disruption.

In addition to compensation payments as a result of the delays, money also has to be spent on repairs and the cost of staff to do that work.

In South Yorkshire, there were 201 cable thefts in 2009/10. In North and West Yorkshire there were 166 offences in the same period.

Copper thefts became a problem as world demand for the metal increased in the last few years, with industrial expansion in developing countries.

Northern Rail area director Steve Butcher said cable theft was one of the single biggest causes of delay to services. "We welcome any information anyone can give to help catch the offenders."

To report a copper cable theft, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.