That’s the message British Transport Police is sending out to prospective metal thieves across the country to coincide with the national day of action on 28 October.
During the past few months BTP has seen a continuing rise in the number of cable thefts reported, but officers want to drive home the message that there is little profit for criminals.
Superintendent Andy Ball said:
“The simple truth is that cable thieves do not make huge amounts of money from the metal they are able to steal. In fact, when you consider the risks thieves take to steal the cable, it simply isn’t worth the effort.
“Anyone who seeks to steal railway cable risks serious injury – or even death – through electrocution and, because of where the cable is situated, faces the prospect of being struck by a train.
“We saw a stark reminder of this in December 2010, where a man from Catford was killed after an ill-fated copper cable theft from a substation in Penge, with his two accomplices jailed for a total of eight years in August this year.”
Talking about those who choose to steal cable from the railways, Superintendent Ball added:
“Whilst thieves may think they will get good money for stolen metal because of the increased price of copper, the truth is that unscrupulous scrap metal dealers will not pass on that increase to the thieves.
“Historically thieves will only get a fraction of the value of the metal they take whilst it is the few recyclers prepared to ignore the law who reap the benefits when they sell the metal on.
“Thankfully, the number of metal recyclers willing to take in dodgy metal is small – with the vast majority of businesses in the industry happy to work with police to put an end to the trade in stolen metal.
“Those who continue to buy and sell stolen metal are on our radar and they can look forward to many future visits from British Transport Police and our colleagues in other police forces.”
British Transport Police has a long history of working closely with Network Rail, local police Forces and agencies in the area. And the partnership is working well.
Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Smith from Sussex Police said:
“Sussex Police fully support the national initiative. We will be carrying out force wide activity together with our colleagues from British Transport Police to identify those involved in any criminal activities regarding the theft and disposal of stolen cable and metal.”
Dave Eden, Environmental Crime Team Leader, said:
“There has been a rise in the theft of metal due to the increasing price of non-ferrous metals worldwide, which forces up the price of scrap metal. Estimates show that metal theft costs the UK economy in excess of £360 million each year.
“As a regulator, our role is to work with the scrap metal dealers to stamp out this trade. We take the problem very seriously and will work in partnership with the police to tackle sites that flout the rules.”
But there is more to be done and BTP, together with a number of other organisations, including Network Rail, is seeking to bring relevant legislation (Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964) up to date.
Dyan Crowther, Director of Operational Services at Network Rail, said:
“Our industry is under attack from metal thieves. Every day hundreds of passengers and essential freight deliveries are being disrupted and delayed.
“We are doing all we can to protect the network; including funding extra BTP officers, using CCTV, forensic marking techniques and other technology. Despite that crimes continue to increase.
“We believe that the only way to significantly reduce metal crime is to take away the illegal market and that more robust legislation and police powers are needed to achieve that.”
Thieves are also being warned that they will not escape the attention of BTP and other police forces.
Luke Beeson, General Manager for cable theft in BT Security, said:
“BT customers are also impacted by the actions of metal thieves and we are always eager to support BTP in these days of action. This bolsters the educational work we are already doing with scrap metal dealers to block that disposal route for stolen BT network cable”
Superintendent Ball added:
“Metal theft in any form is an attack on communities, but when thieves target the railway they often have a significant impact on travellers in the shape of delays and cancellations caused by severed power or communications cable.
“This is totally unacceptable and our work to tackle these thieves continues. Since April 2011 we have arrested 90 people on suspicion of metal theft and we will continue to take firm action against anyone who threatens the running of the railway.”
The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any cable thieves.
Members of the public who have information about metal theft can call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
