PM blasts raids on memorials as Gurkhas guard rail

The Nepalese ex-soldiers, who fought as part of the British Army, have been patrolling the lines to prevent thieves stealing track, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney revealed.

He spoke out after the theft of 169 memorial plaques from St Mary’s Church in Mirfield in September.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr McCartney said: “Cable theft has cost the rail industry £43m over the last three years and they have even drafted in Gurkhas to patrol the network.

“Meanwhile, homes and churches are being pilfered of their lead and copper and in the past month one churchyard in Huddersfield had 169 memorial plaques stolen for their metal.

“Now is the time to legislate to stop these stolen metals going to merchants.”

Mr Cameron said the Government was “determined to put a stop to this really appalling crime”.

He added: “The theft of metal, particularly from war memorials, is an absolutely sickening and disgusting crime.

“We are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to put in place an action plan to deal with this. It does involve looking at the whole regulation of scrap metal dealers.”

It is thought Mr McCartney was referring to private security firm G4S, which employs former servicemen.

It says on its website: “G4S Gurkha Services offers an enhanced, strategic security solution. We are managed by former British Army officers with many years of practical operational experience.

“A professional, ex-military team, managed by former British Army officers with many years of practical operational experience, provide a high quality and unique security solution for customers with higher risk security requirements.”

The firm specialises in “metal theft prevention for the rail and energy networks”.

The comments came on the day that police revealed the theft of £140 worth of cable in Leeds on October 26 cost over £46,000 in delays and repairs.