Sniffer dogs used to tackle cable and metal theft
SPECIALLY trained sniffer dogs provided by Search Dogs UK are being used by Network Rail as another weapon in the fight against cable and metal theft from the railways.
A national operation is underway to mark railway property with a permanent synthetic solution only visible under ultra violet light, but it also has a unique scent which the dogs can detect. This helps police to identify any stolen supplies illegally sold to scrap metal dealers.
Surprise visits to scrap dealers are being undertaken, not only to check for stolen items but to remind dealers of their obligations under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, in which scrap is legally sourced and that sellers’ details are recorded and kept as part of any sale.
Andrea Graham, head of crime and security for Network Rail’s North West and Central region, said: “Metal theft continues to cause huge problems for passengers and freight customers at a very significant cost to our business – which is of course funded by the taxpayer. We are always looking at new ways to crack down on criminals and now we have man’s best friend on the case too.”
The dogs are being used nationally after it was revealed that in a five-year span, there had been 330 cases of metal theft, costing £16m, as well as immense delays to passengers and freight.