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Tuesday 21 Apr 2009

PUBLIC ASKED: HELP US STOP THIEVES DISRUPTING TRAIN SERVICES

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In March alone, thieves have targeted vital railway equipment in the Clifton area of Bolton four times causing delays and cancellations to train services. The figures were released today by Network Rail as it joined forces with train operators, British Transport Police and the charity Crimestoppers to ask for help from the public to prevent more delays.

Network Rail is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the conviction of cable thieves and anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, explained: "Despite the falling price of scrap metal and additional security measures in place, the theft of cables used in signalling systems on the railway remains a major source of delay to passengers and cost to the industry. We are determined to do all we can to stop these thieves - including installing CCTV cameras in the area.

"However this is a battle we cannot win on our own and today we have a partnership with the charity Crimestoppers which will allow us to offer up to £1,000 reward to anyone who helps bring about the conviction of these selfish thieves who are bringing misery to many hundreds of rail travellers on one of the busiest commuting routes in the north west."

BTP Superintendent Peter Mason said: “Cable theft is one of the biggest challenges facing British Transport Police and we are committed to tackling the issue.

“As a force we have developed a specific operation, Operation Drum, whose sole aim is to target cable theft.

“BTP is working closely with colleagues from other forces, Network Rail and other partner agencies to reduce the opportunities for criminals and to bring those intent on committing crime to justice.”

Lee Wasnidge, area director, Northern Rail said: “Cable theft has had a big impact on our services in 2009, frustrating customers who were affected by the resulting delays. We would urge anyone with any information to contact Crimestoppers.”

The four incidents in March resulted in 38 trains being cancelled. It also meant that other trains were delayed on their journeys for a total of 2,528 minutes, which is the equivalent of 42 hrs.

The cancellations and delays cost Network Rail nearly £27,000 in compensation to train operators First TransPennine Express and Northern. This is a substantial part of the cost to the industry of cable theft but does not include the cost of staff time to repair and replace the cable, replacement cable itself and the cost of measures such as security patrols and investment in new technology to combat the problem.

This includes £600,000 in new CCTV cameras and monitoring equipment, which will cover the Clifton, Agecroft and Miles Platting areas where cable theft is a problem.