Crackdown on cable theft

A JOINT British Transport Police and Network Rail operation has been running in South Yorkshire aimed at disrupting criminals who steal signalling cables and other equipment. Since April there has been a rise in the number of offences during a time when world copper prices have risen too. The cables are being stolen along the SheffieldRotherham-Aldwarke corridor and Network Rail says it has cost them more than £280,000 – the figure attributable to replacement cables and compensation payments for delayed journeys. To combat the thefts, NR and BTP teams are increasing proactive patrols and using new real time surveillance techniques to monitor hotspot areas.