Cable thefts cause long rail delays
Over 3.5 million railway passengers had their journeys delayed or cancelled last year due to the growing problem of cable theft.
The Transport Select Committee said the thefts cost National Rail more than £16 million in 2011 and caused great disruption to commuters and passengers.
The Committee's latest report urges the Government to take drastic action to counter the problem.
Possible options open to the Coalition include a reform of scrap metal regulations, drafting a new offence of aggravated trespass on the railway and giving police extra powers to combat the rise in incidents. MPs in the Committee said that instances of cable theft had increased sharply in recent years, with up to eight incidents every day.
Over the past three years estimates suggest that thefts have cost National Rail in excess of £40 million.
The problem for National Rail is the rising value of the cable for scrap metal. The 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act has been described as "Steptoe and Son" legislation but any reform would be a gradual process. As a result cable thefts are likely to continue disrupting the rail network for the foreseeable future.
Copyright Press Association 2012