Centro calls for crackdown on rail metal thieves

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Centro is calling for a change in the law to help thwart thieves stripping metal from the nation’s rail network.

The region’s transport authority is now asking for the support of local authorities around the UK in calling on the Government to crackdown on unscrupulous scrap yards who buy the stolen metal.

The call follows a number of high profile incidents which have seen thieves bring parts of the rail network to a standstill after stealing track-side components.

In the West Midlands the thefts have led to service delays of 2,163 hours (90 days) over the past three years and cost Network Rail nearly £3.25m in compensation over the same period.

Integrated transport authority member Councillor Roger Horton is leading the calls for change and said it was a minority who were causing chaos for the majority.

He said: “It is an accident waiting to happen and I am surprised we haven’t seen a major accident already. As long as these thieves have an avenue to sell the metal they will continue to do so and they need to be stopped.

“It doesn’t just affect us at the transport authority. It affects everyone, churches, houses and businesses and something needs to be done.”

Centro are backing guidelines set out by the British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA) and Association of Chief Police Officers which form part of a voluntary code of practice for recycling facilities.

These guidelines highlight the need for more stringent checks on people recycling metal, requiring them to give their names, addresses and provide identification before any payment is made.

They also call for the introduction of CCTV footage which should be kept for four weeks, and any suspicious people or transactions to be reported to British Transport Police.

Inspector Lee Gordon, of British Transport Police (BTP), said cracking down on thieves raiding rail networks across the country remained one of the Force’s biggest priorities.

He said: “We need the powers to tackle the heart of this problem effectively, allowing us to shut down dealers who continue to flout the law and provide a market for thieves through buying and selling stolen metal.

“There is a common assumption that cable theft is a victimless crime, with the only effects being felt by the railway industry. This is not the case.

“Delays caused by thieves have a considerable impact on the lives of people who rely on the railway to go about their business and can result in people missing vital appointments.”

Figures released by Network Rail earlier this month showed incidents of metal theft from the West Midlands rail network had increased by more than a third over the past two years.

Nationally the problem increased 52 per cent last year, averaging more than six attacks every day.

Jo Kaye, route director at Network Rail, said: “These criminal acts have to stop. Every day passengers and essential freight deliveries upon which our economy relies are being delayed by thieves looking to make a quick buck at our expense.”

Centro have submitted their calls for legislation reform to the Local Government Association as part of the bid for a change in legislation.

Anyone with information about cable theft from the railways should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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