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Thursday 19 Sep 2024

Latest tactics revealed to stop railway metal thieves in their tracks

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South

Covert crime-busting kit is being used to track down metal thieves who cause major delays to passengers and freight on the West Coast main line – Europe’s busiest mixed use railway.

Network Rail is stepping up its efforts to deter cable theft by deploying special 'trespass beads' which provide police with the ability to irrefutably link offenders to crime scenes.  

Trespass beads are tiny pellets designed to break upon impact and are made up of SelectaDNA***, a unique UV based DNA solution which is a proven and credible way to place a criminal at a crime scene, without their knowledge. 

A special solution released by the beads can be detected by trained sniffer dogs as well as seen under special police torches, so stolen metal can be found and those who illegally sell items onward can be caught.

This is just one of many deterrents deployed including drone and covert camera use, all to dissuade thieves from this disruptive but also unsafe activity. Not only does the theft impact train services as Network Rail replaces the cable to get passengers and freight moving again, but criminals are risking their lives. 

Jennifer Hartnett, Network Rail’s route crime and security manager for West Coast South, said: “Cable theft is a timely and expensive problem for the railway and it causes huge disruption to our passengers and freight services.

“To prevent it, we’re working closely with our partners at the British Transport Police and using innovative tactics like our trespass beads to help bring thieves to justice. We urge anyone who sees something suspicious on or near the railway to contact the British Transport Police.”

For the financial year 2023/2024, there were 101 incidents across the national rail network, that caused trains to be delayed by 55,764 minutes at an estimated cost to the tax payer of £4 million.

However, the West Coast main line between London Euston and Crewe has seen a downward trend in cable theft due to tactics deployed. It does still remain an issue with cable theft on this route causing trains to be delayed by 823 minutes at an estimated cost to the tax payer of £175,000 for that same year.

Sergeant Malik Hussain for British Transport Police, said: “We are working closely with Network Rail to deter cable theft by using police tactics. By adopting a multi-agency approach it means we are putting ourselves in a stronger position to identify thieves and locate stolen metal.

“Our message to thieves is clear, we are aware of your activity and of the hotspots for this crime, you will be caught and brought to justice.”

Anyone witnessing suspicious behaviour on or around the railway should report it to British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016.