Cable thefts on the tramway

Dear Lancashire Constabulary,

I have attached a press release from the Blackpol Evening Gazette
of 06 April 2010. It is reproduced in full at the end of this
request. I refer to the section below.

"Three men have been arrested and bailed in connection with the
thefts".

Please respond under the Freedom of Information Act.

1/ Were these three individuals convicted of the offences for which
they were arrested?
2/ If not please provide a basic explanation of why not?
3/ If they were please indicate if one, two or all were thus
convicted?
4/ Please indicate the sentences provided if appropriate? I don't
require any personal information.
5/ What proportion of the 4000 metres allegedly stolen was stolen
by those three individuals or a combibnation of the three?
6/ What proportion of the £135,000 in value allegedly stolen was
stolen by those three individuals or a combination of the three?
7/ Did these three individuals steal the whole 4000 metres to an
alleged value of £135,000?

If you require any clarification please ask.

Yours faithfully,

Tony Wise

Thieves steal £135,000 tram cables

Published Date: 06 April 2010

SPECIAL security patrols are to guard over-head tram cables after
thieves ripped down the high-value wires.
In recent months cable worth £135,000 has gone.

Although the trams have been restored to much of the coastal route
this Easter, the thefts mean it will be at least six weeks before
the trams can get from Cleveleys to Fleetwood.

Dave Hislop, engineering director at Blackpool Transport said: "We
are going to have security on overnight, otherwise it will be
stolen as fast as we can put it back up.

"We would have been open all the way to Fleetwood, but for the
theft of these overhead lines.

"We are starting work directly after Easter.
"I'm aiming to have it done as soon as possible, but I don't think
it will be inside six weeks."

The security is being organised by Blackpool Council.

The authority's assistant director of Street Scene and property,
Paul Taylor, said: "As we prepare to start running power through
the cables which will mark the final stage of preparation before we
open the tramway again it is essential that the cables remain
undamaged and not tampered with.

"We have therefore added security patrols to some areas of the
tramway to protect them.

"We have been working with police to prevent any further problems."

The cable was taken in a series of thefts over four months between
Heathfield Road in Fleetwood and Rossall School.

Ropes were thrown over the cable and it was pulled off with
vehicles before being severed with cutters.

The loss of the cabling is a blow to traders on Lord Street,
Fleetwood.

They are already suffering because of tracks being laid for the new
supertram service.

Three men have been arrested and bailed in connection with the
thefts.

Insp Dave Vickers, of Fleetwood Police, today urged the public to
watch out for anyone interfering with tram wires and to ring 999 if
a crime was in progress.
He also wanted information those who may be buying the cable.

Anyone with information can call Fleetwood Police on (01253) 876611
or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Dear Information assurance unit,

Thank you for the response. I appreciate it. There is no need for a
review.

Much obliged.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Wise