Cable theft
Cable theft is a costly issue for the railway, causing delays and impacting passengers and the economy.
The Cost of Cable Theft
Cable theft costs us millions of pounds each year. The total cost to the economy – taking into account the impact of freight delays to power stations and supermarkets, and on passengers who miss appointments or have their day ruined – is even higher.
The Impact of Metal Theft
The theft of metal is a big problem for the railway as thieves target signalling cables, overhead power lines and even metal fences to sell for scrap.
The design of Britain’s rail network ensure it fails safely, so when a cable is cut, trains come to a standstill. This approach protects passengers but can cause lengthy, frustrating delays while the problem is located and safely fixed.
A large proportion of our funding comes from the Government, so these thefts are, ultimately, costing taxpayers money.
How you can help
You can help by reporting suspicious behaviour on the tracks to the British Transport Police:
- 0800 40 50 40
- Text 61016
- In an emergency call 999
Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
What we’re doing to prevent cable theft
We have done a huge amount of work to tackle cable theft including:
- funding British Transport Police officers
- using CCTV to alert us that people are on the network and to support the police
- installing new ways of securing cables
- using forensic marking agents
- introducing cables which are harder to steal and easier to identify
- and setting up a dedicated security team.
Scrap Metal Dealers Act
Together with other essential infrastructure providers we successfully lobbied the Government to introduce the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
The Act means that:
- Local authorities must license scrap metal dealers and have the power to refuse unsuitable applicants and revoke licenses.
- Police have the power by court order to close unlicensed scrap yards
- All sellers of metal must show verifiable ID which dealers must record and retain
- Cash trades for scrap metal are illegal without exception and subject to unlimited fines
- A public national register of scrap metal dealers has been created.
This will help make sure that sales of scrap metal are accounted for and that all people trading scrap are doing so legitimately.