Signal-cable thieves caused major delays

Trains were delayed for over three hours last Thursday following the attempted theft, which took place approximately 400 metres away from South Milford station towards Leeds.

Pc Craig Virco, the investigating officer, said: "Thirty troughing lids were lifted and attempts were made to cut both signal and power cables with manual cutting equipment.

"When this failed, the signalling cable was deliberately placed across the rail lines, and as a result was damaged as a train passed over it and all services had to be brought to a stop.

"This was a reckless act which resulted in serious disruption to the service and thousands of passengers who were travelling on it."