UK: Former Gurkhas defending rail network from metal thieves

[John Ashworth]

Former Gurkhas defending rail network from metal thieves

Former Gurkhas are being enlisted to defend the railways from cable thieves as the crime spree reaches epidemic levels

The Telegraph
By David Millward, Transport Editor6:30AM GMT 03 Nov 2011

The use of the Nepalese ex-soldiers was the latest evidence of the havoc being wrought by the criminal gangs who have targeted railway track, war memorials and churches over the past year.

Mounting concern was reflected in the Commons where David Cameron said he was determined to put a stop to “this really appalling crime”.

The Prime Minister added: "The theft of metal, particularly from war memorials, is an absolutely sickening and disgusting crime.”

It is understood that the retired Gurkhas, who work for the security firm G4S, are being used to protect ‘hot spots” in north east England which have been particularly badly hit by the gangs.

G4S Gurkha Services, which employs more than 600 ex-servicemen, is an offshoot of one of the country’s leading private security firms and offers what it describes as “an enhanced strategic military solution” specialising in defending what is deemed to be “Critical National Infrastructure”

The company, which is managed by former army officers, specialises in metal theft prevention for both the rail and energy networks.

“We use Gurkhas because of their commitment, vigilance and robustness,” said John Whitwam, managing director of G4S Gurkha Services.

“We employ them in teams which mirrors the hierarchy which they experienced in the army. We think they are an appropriate response to a situation which is only now being understood.”

The use of the Gurkhas, who all have at least 15 years military service, was revealed during Prime Minister’s Questions by Jason McCartney, the Tory MP Colne Valley.

“Cable theft has cost the rail industry £43 million over the last three years and they have even drafted in Gurkhas to patrol the network,” he said.

"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 its metal,” he told fellow MPs.

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

Speaking afterwards he added that thieves in his area had also stolen manhole covers, grates from coal cellars and even a lightning rod from a church.

“It is wrecking people’s lives, it is truly and utterly awful.”

There is mounting pressure on the Government to act to tackle the gangs who are estimated as stealing more than £40 million worth of metal a year.

Ecclesiastical, the main church insurer faced claims worth £20 million last year because of the activities of the criminal gangs.

According to the War Memorials Trust, the number of raids has doubled over the summer, with at least two attacks a week.

Network Rail believes that the thieves will cost the company, which is responsible for maintaining the country’s track infrastructure, £20 million this year.

It has blamed cable theft for a wave of disruption and poor punctuality on some lines, although this has been questioned by the rail regulator.

A raid last week in Leeds, which saw cable worth only £140 resulted in costs of £46,000 in train delays and repairs,
"The risks these thieves took for just £140 in their pocket is astonishing,” said Chief Inspector Derek O'Mara, of BTP's dedicated cable squad, Operation Leopard.

“This had a massive impact to train services and the rail industry to rectify and amend the damage caused, as well as delaying thousands of passengers – many of whom may have been travelling to important appointments.

"What thieves don't realise is that they are working on live cable, carrying up to 25,000 volts, which can cause extensive burns. They could have been seriously injured or even killed for their mindless efforts.”

There is mounting pressure on the Government to act and a series of ministerial meetings have been held across Whitehall.

The likeliest move will see the 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act to introduce curbs on the industry such as banning cash transactions.