Metal Crime
One copper cable theft from a railway line. Damage estimated at over £80,000. And likely £50 for the thieves.
And these are the consequences of just one of three thefts in West Yorkshire on the East Coast Main Line in a single night last month.
British Transport Police say the thefts can vary greatly in size but are mostly petty – the “cottage industry end”.
“But the number of thefts is huge,” says a spokesman. “It is our biggest crime problem in terms of frequency and our biggest challenge after counter-terrorism.
“There are actually very small rewards in it for the thieves, but it’s the instant cash that attracts them.”
