Using all the latest technology available to them, including ae microdrone – a small unmanned helicopter fitted with a live action camera – transport police managed to track down people suspected of being involved in cable theft.
A 32-year-old man and a 24-year-old man from Sherburn-in-Elmet were arrested when officers visited a scrap dealer after an incident in Wakefield.
And two youths – a 14-year-old from Walton and a 17-year-old from Knottingley – were taken into custody after DNA forensic evidence was taken from the scene of a cable theft at a stretch of railway line in Crigglestone in October.
Monday's police activity was triggered by the rise in trackside cable theft, which is being driven by soaring prices of metal worlwide.
Det Chief Insp Danny Snee, of the northeastern area BTP, said: "Today's action demonstrates that we are prepared to devote considerable resources to target this type of crime. It forms part of continuing pro-active police operations to identify, apprehend and prosecute those involved in metal theft.
"Metal theft is major crime that has potentially serious economic consequences for the country and negatively impacts on communities in many ways. It is certainly not a victimless crime."
Also across Wakefield officers visited more scrap dealers and set up road checks, using automatic number plate recognition technology to link vehicles to potential crime scenes.
A number of people were dealt with for vehicle offences, but no-one was caught carrying stolen railway cable.
Det Chief Insp Snee said: "We are encouraging scrap metal dealers to be particularly vigilant and if they suspect metals to have been stolen, report it to police."
Dyan Crowther, route director for Network Rail, said the theft of cable from the railways was a serious and pressing problem.
He said: "Anything which can help us catch the thieves who are putting their own lives in danger and causing millions of pounds worth of disruption to the region's economy is to be welcomed. We are supporting the BTP and will continue to work closely with them to stop the thieves and ensure a reliable rail service."
Anyone with information about thefts of cable from the rail system should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 405040 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.