| Cable theft costs Network Rail about £10 million a year |
| Wednesday, 23 April 2008 | |
|
Helicopter patrols reducce cable theft costs.
The use of high-visibility patrols and new technology have played a
significant role in helping to reduce delays to rail passengers caused
by cable thefts on the East Coast Main Line. Network Rail's figures show a reduction in delays on the route from 205,000 minutes in 2006/07 to 151,000 in 2007/08. The use of high-visibility patrols and new technology have played a significant role in helping to reduce delays to rail passengers caused by cable thefts on the East Coast Main Line. Network Rail's figures show a reduction in delays on the route from 205,000 minutes in 2006/07 to 151,000 in 07/08. The route is regularly monitored by helicopter patrols and by remote control airborne CCTV devices. Dyan Crowther, route director for Network Rail, said: "The theft of metal, including lead from roofs and electrical supply cable, is a global issue being faced by a large number of industries. The fact that the investments we are making in both our people and technical devices is reducing the disturbance to passengers and the number of incidents of cable theft shows that it is money well spent." Det Ch Insp Danny Snee from BTP added: "For British Transport Police, combating cable theft across Britain's rail system remains second only to terrorism. We are using every method at our disposal to tackle this type of crime." Network Rail said the actions of cable criminals cost it about £10m a year, which includes the cost of security patrols and detection measures such as CCTV. |
