Police appeal after two attacks of cable theft in West Yorkshire

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British Transport Police (BTP) is asking for the public’s help after two incidents of cable theft in Pontefract and Knottingley caused outage of signalling cable.

Detective Inspector Mick Jackson of Operation Leopard – BTP’s dedicated cable and metal theft team – said how the incidents, which took place on Tuesday, 19 and Wednesday, 20 July, in total delayed 26 trains.

“The first incident took place on Tuesday on the line close to England Lane, Knottingley, at around 11.50pm. Officers attended and discovered 35 metres of 8 lines of cable had been cut and taken from the scene, causing around £600 of damage. 23 trains were delayed for over 300 minutes.

“On Wednesday, another incident of cable theft took place before midnight close to Pontefract racecourse. Here 50 metres of cable was cut and taken.

“Three trains were affected causing 28 minutes of delays. Three youths were seen close in the area on the racecourse and officers are appealing for them to come forward.”

Police are now hitting back against the offenders who cause misery for countless passengers.

DI Jackson added: “Tackling cable theft is a priority for BTP and we are prepared to do everything within our power – within the limits of the law – to take action against anyone who steals from the railway.

“We will be out and about during the coming days, weeks and months, targeting known hot-spot locations including Castleford, and making life as difficult as possible for would-be thieves.

“My officers understand the misery caused by cable theft and will go to great lengths to deter thieves from targeting the railway.

“When thefts do occur we will use every investigative and forensic tactic available to us to trace those responsible and put them before the courts.”

The theft of cable from the railway has an enormous impact on the travelling public with countless delays and cancellations directly attributable to the crime.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail, added:

“These arrests send a clear message to the thieves who are targeting our railway and causing misery for passengers – we will catch you.

“Thieves are targeting our essential rail services on a daily basis. Just one theft causes misery to many hundreds of people and unacceptable delay to vital freight services as well as costing the railway and the wider economy thousands of pounds.

“We will continue to support British Transport Police in order to find those responsible and bring them to justice. I would ask anyone with information about the thieves to contact police or Crimestoppers and help us to keep your railway running.”

DI Jackson concluded: “We are working extremely closely with Network Rail to address the issue and lessen the impact of cable theft on the communities of West Yorkshire.

Earlier this year, thousands of residents in the area, including Castleford, received a leaflet from British Transport Police through their doors highlighting the effects of cable theft in their community, and warning of the dangers and likely punishment of stealing cable.

Since the campaign was launched, 16 arrests have been made in the area, and officers will continue to combat the tackling issue.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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