Media centre

Monday 14 Jan 2008

MEDIA CALL - RAIL INDUSTRY JOINS FORCES TO TACKLE CABLE THIEVES IN THE EAST MIDLANDS

Region & Route:

A media call will be held at Chesterfield station on Tuesday 15 January at 11am. Spokespeople from Network Rail, CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains will be available.

Network Rail and East Midlands Trains are offering a cash reward for information about the theft of essential cable from the railway near Clay Cross in December 2007 and January 2008.

The Clay Cross area is a critical interchange for intercity cross country services as well as a main route for local and freight services. Thieves have been targeting the railway to steal cables which contain copper which has a high scrap value and have committed crimes at Pye Bridge junction three times in recent weeks - resulting in massive delays for services.

Network Rail has been working with British Transport Police (BTP) to target the thieves and prevent thefts. Measures include increased security patrols, improved fencing, high tech security measures and training Network Rail staff in forensic techniques to improve conviction rates. Now they are joining with CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains to appeal for the help of the public in catching the thieves.

Dyan Crowther, Route Director, said: "The selfish and dangerous actions of these thieves have resulted in major disruption to passengers. Because of its critical location, disruption at Clay Cross has a massive knock-on. We are determined to help catch those responsible and are asking that anyone who has information about these thefts contacts British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.

"We estimate that the three incidents on 20 and 22 December and 5 January will cost approximately £180,000 plus staff costs, money which otherwise could have been invested into the running of the railway."

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains said: “We fully support the BTP and Network Rail in their efforts to catch and discourage thieves targeting the railway. We are committed to running a safe and reliable railway and their actions have caused great inconvenience to thousands of passengers. For that reason we are offering a cash reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the conviction of these people.

“I would appeal to those with information to pass it on to the police immediately, so that those responsible can be held accountable for their actions and we can ensure the future reliability of our railway.”

Andy Cooper, Managing Director for CrossCountry, said: "The disruption and delay to passengers caused by these criminal actions is unacceptable. Our staff remain vigilant and will do everything possible to assist the BTP in bringing to justice those responsible for vandalism and theft on Britain's rail network."

The railway operates with a failsafe system which means that all signals turn to red once a cable is cut. This means that passengers are not put at risk but it does result in lengthy delays. Thieves are risking their own lives - not only by trespassing on the railway but also by interfering with electric cables which carry high voltages.