British Transport Police (BTP) believes the introduction of new legislation regulating scrap metal transactions will see cable theft on the railways continue to fall.
Changes to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act will outlaw all cash transactions at metal recycling yards across England and Wales.
Fines will also rise significantly for dealers who fail to follow the new rules.
Between April and October, there were 710 – 51 per cent – fewer thefts of cable from Britain’s rail network than in 2011.
BTP Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther, the Association of Chief Police Officers lead for metal theft, said: “For some time police forces and colleagues across several industries have called for tougher legislation in respect of metal theft.
“The revision of the LASPO Act will provide us with the first significant change in metal recycling legislation since 1964.
“The measures introduced will seriously curtail the market for stolen metal as there will now be a clear audit trail back to those bringing commodities into recycling yards – and severe sanctions for those who step out of line.
“Time is up for those thieves who still see metal as a viable target and continue to steal from our infrastructure and communities.
“The day of action, on October 11, will see police and partners across Britain taking positive action against thieves, paying visits to scrap metal recyclers to remind them of their responsibilities and drive home the message that metal theft is socially unacceptable.”
Neil Henry, head of operations and performance at Network Rail, added: “This new legislation is a welcome first step in crushing the market for stolen metal.
“However, without total reform of the law covering scrap metal dealers, that impact is limited and criminals will continue to attack our railway.”
