British Transport Police officers are appealing for information and witnesses after a man suffered burns to his hands in an apparent attempt to steal cable from the railway line in Nuneaton.
Launching an appeal for information into the incident at Stockingford, officers warned members of the public that the incident highlighted the dangers associated with cable theft.
As well as the dangers of trespassing on the railway line, many of the cables targeted by thieves have 50,000 volts running through them and anyone who attempts to steal the materials risk being electrocuted or badly burned.
Detective Sergeant Graham Moss, part of Op Leopard – BTP’s dedicated team targeting cable thieves, said the incident was reported to police shortly before 12.30am on Monday 26 April.
“Officers attended the railway line in the Beverley Avenue area and discovered live railway cable had been cut at the scene.
“Evidence at the scene also suggests that whoever had attempted to steal the cable will have suffered burns to their hands as a result of the high voltage running through the cable.
“I would therefore appeal to anyone who knows someone who has suffered burns since the early hours of the morning of Monday 26 April, or who has information which they believe can assist the investigation, to come forward in strict confidence.
“This incident illustrates what a dangerous environment the railway can be.
“It’s essential that we find this person as they may also need hospital treatment for their injuries.”
Network Rail and the independent charity Crimestoppers offer a £1,000 reward for information which leads to the successful conviction of cable thieves.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 6 of 26/04/2011 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
