Thieves risk lives to take cable from railway

About 180 metres of cable was stolen from the line near to Hambleton South Junction at Selby, but almost 1,000 metres will have to be replaced.

PC Jacqueline Wilson, of British Transport Police, said: "The act of stealing cable is extremely dangerous and we want to hear from anyone with any information about this incident.

"What the thieves don't realise is that they are working on live cable, carrying up to 25,000 volts, which can cause extensive burns. By attempting to steal it they are seriously putting their lives at risk.

"We have seen a significant rise in incidents in the past year, fuelled by increasing commodity prices. As part of our efforts to trace those responsible, BTP has a dedicated crime team based in the North East, where cable and metal theft is a constant issue.

"Officers visit scrap yards to monitor goods which are brought in to quickly identify stolen cable as many thieves look to make money by selling their material on.

"We have also increased surveillance and patrols in problematic areas and hot-spots as well as fitting covert cameras to film the thieves at work and bring them to justice."

The damage was discovered on September 22 by Network Rail engineers, who reported it to police.

Network Rail route director Richard Lungmuss said: "The theft of cable is a constant drain on our resources and cause of considerable disruption to rail services."

He asked anyone with any information to report their suspicions to Crimestoppers – "they could receive up to 1,000 reward." Anyone with information can also call British Transport Police on 0800 405040.