‘Urgent action’ needed to control rail cable theft

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A group of MPs have said anyone trying to sell scrap metal should have to prove their identity.

The MPs want ‘urgent action’ to be taken on scrap dealers buying stolen metal in a bid to cut theft from the rail network. In a report, the Transport Select Committee said the government needed to test the use of cashless payments for scrap metal.

The Transport Committee said that it had identified scrap metal dealers as the ‘weak link’ in efforts to combat rail cable theft and highlights the need for legislative reform.

Launching the report Louise Ellman, Transport Committee Chair, said:

“Cable theft on the railway must be tackled with more urgency. Last year over 35,000 journeys were delayed or cancelled due to this crime which also cost Network Rail more than £16m.”

Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, Michael Roberts, said:

“Train companies are working tirelessly with the rest of the industry to tackle the problem, and will continue to call for tougher measures to allow police to close down rogue traders for good.”

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