Hunting down cable thieves
CABLE thieves were being hunted down during an operation by transport police yesterday.
Officers stopped and searched vehicles outside scrapyard, Horbury Waste Traders, on Engine Lane,
Sgt Mark Seales, of the British Transport Police, led the operation and said cable theft was rife in Wakefield.
He said: "We do these operations in areas where we've been having problems, and Wakefield is one of those.
"Since the start of 2010 we've seen a marked increase in the number of thefts committed on the railway.
"Cable theft is far from a victimless crime and, aside from the cost to the industry, causes misery and major issues for countless people whose journeys – some of which could be vitally important – are hampered by the resulting delays and cancellations." And the actions of these thieves cost Network Rail hundreds of thousands of pounds."
Officers were joined by the Environment Agency, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Wakefield Council and HM Revenue and Customs, as full checks were done on vehicles.
The operation was still ongoing as the Express went to press.
Sgt Seales said a reward of up to 1,000 would be offered to members of the public who could give information leading to arrests.
He said: "We are calling on the public to help by providing us with information.
"There is no doubt that those involved in the theft of cable and metal will have either directly told friends and family about what they are doing or, at least, aroused suspicion amongst those closest to them."
Sgt Seales said officers will run a similar operation soon.
People with information about cable theft are urged to contact the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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