UK: cable theft second only to terrorism

[John Ashworth]

Theft of cable now second only to terrorism, say police

The theft of copper signalling cable has cost the railway industry GBP 43 million in just three years and reached epidemic proportions. In the past year alone, the crime has increased by 52% and there are an average of six attacks a day on the network.

Network Rail estimates that more than 16,000 hours of delay have accumulated, affecting millions of passengers.

With the price of copper reaching record levels, the copper is being sold to unscrupulous scrap dealers for just a small proportion of its real value.

Such is the seriousness that the British Transport Police has elevated the crime to a priority second only to terrorism and created a dedicated task force with increased patrols and intelligence-led policing.

There will be more use of the Network Rail helicopter, increased CCTV coverage, forensic marking, trembler alarms and other devices to protect cables.

NR has introduced a new type of cable that is easier to identify and harder to sell.

The Railway Magazine, July 2011, p8