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CABLE THEFT

Cable theft is currently a major problem for the rail industry, as for many other industries. In 2007, BTP recorded around 1,956 cable theft crimes, compared to 1,153 for 2006. The Chief Constable has described it as one of BTP's biggest challenges after terrorism and Network Rail's Chief Executive, Iain Coucher, has said that the company has suffered 170,000 minutes delay due to cable theft, `costing us tens of thousands of pounds every year in the delay minutes compensation we have to pay. This is very expensive for us.' (Railnews page 1 Aug 07).

With the soaring price of copper on world markets, theft of cable emerged as a serious problem for the rail industry, as it did for telecommunications providers and other utilities, in 2006.

Cable theft describes a range of activity from the “cottage industry” end of the spectrum, in which small amounts of cable are stolen, to serious organised crime.

Patterns of crime seem to be consistent over a range of industries with the north east of England a particular hot spot area. Thefts can have a serious impact on track maintenance and the smooth running of the network. According to figures from Network Rail, 659 train services were part or fully cancelled between April and December 2006 due to cable theft.

As well as thefts from depots, thieves were increasingly willing to risk their lives to steal lineside cable causing considerable disruption to services.

Cable theft is generally not a safety issue for the railways as signals default to red if interfered with. However, vehicles being taken lineside to move cable can obstruct tracks.

What are you doing about it?

● With Network Rail, BTP set up “Operation Drum” as a strategic response to the problem of cable theft

● Proactive enforcement using, covert and overt police action, including helicopter patrols

● Better housekeeping and security at depots and lineside

● Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and crime reduction activity targeted at scrap yards and metal dealers

● At the serious crime end of the spectrum, BTP has been in liaison with the Serious Organised Crime Agency and with Railpol, who held the first pan-European “day of action” in July 2007 in which BTP participated. A second day was held in July 2008

● BTP has also undertaken work to identify and disrupt the supply chain for stolen copper out of the UK and briefed all Regional Crime Directors

● Liaison with a number of agencies, including local forces, the DVLA , VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and the Environment Agency

● In September 2006, the North Eastern Area set up a dedicated Cable Squad of 20 officers. They have run operations at hotspot locations involving a combination of tactics including high profile patrols supplemented by off road police bike patrols, the use of Q trains (police only trains that patrol routes and stop at short notice if they come across crime), visits to scrap yards checking paperwork and briefing dealers on the problem, as well as intelligence led targeting of suspects

● In September 2007, BTP set up a separate national Cable Squad, with its own intelligence cell, task force and investigation team (27 in all). They are looking at cross border and international aspects of cable crime and supporting Area operations

● In August 2008, the biggest ever seizure of suspected stolen metal (over £700,000 worth) was made in Staffordshire

● Vehicle seizures have been carried out and environmental powers used to arrest those found burning cable. Network Rail helicopters operate to protect storage areas and identify thieves, and helicopter-borne ANPR has also been used

● A three day course for selected Network Rail staff to equip then with basic skills in preserving evidence at theft scenes

● Work has been undertaken with the CPS and magistrates to explain the seriousness of the issue for the industry.