Why risk your life? That’s the question British Transport Police is asking cable thieves in mid Cheshire who, for two nights, trespassed on the railway to steal copper.
The thieves have targeted cable running alongside the West Coast Mainline at Hartford junction and, in two separate incidents, have managed to steal 200 metres of signalling and power cable.<br><br>The thefts caused faults on the line but did not affect the running of the railway.<br><br>Inspector Sonja Simister, of BTP, said: “It is truly unbelievable that thieves are willing to risk their lives for what is, in reality, a relatively small gain.<br><br>“The value of the cable stolen is minimal, but the danger they faced when trespassing on the railway was not.<br><br>“Anyone who trespasses is running the risk of being struck by a train, particularly as thieves tend to operate in the dark when the vision of train drivers – who will not be expecting anyone to be on the tracks – is reduced.<br><br>“But those who cut through cable also face the danger of being electrocuted as often they are not well versed in which cable is carrying a live current and could, quite easily, sever the main power lines.”<br><br>Insp Simister added: “I would hope the potential danger is enough to dissuade would-be thieves. Sadly this is not always the case and we will now be stepping up patrols in the area and will take a dim view of anyone caught trespassing on, or tampering with the railway.<br><br>“This view is shared by the courts and anyone caught stealing cable can expect to be prosecuted and may face a custodial sentence.<br><br>“Thieves often think cable theft is a victimless crime, it is not, the railway as a whole suffers through the cost of repairs and compensation, whilst rail users also suffer as the damage often causes delays and cancellations as the trains cannot run without fully functioning signal.<br><br>“We need to put a stop to this behaviour and we are working closely with Network Rail and other agencies to look at ways of deterring and detecting thieves. But we need the general public to be vigilant and to report any instances of suspicious behaviour immediately.”
Meanwhile, cable thieves who cost the railway industry more than £8.5million have been jailed for two years.
Norvall Waugh and Wayne Halliwell, both 44, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, November 5, having pleaded guilty to counts of cable theft and obstruction of engines and handling stolen goods.
The court heard that Halliwell of Clock Face Road, St Helens, and Waugh, also of St Helens, were responsible for a number of cable thefts in St Helens, Widnes, Warrington.
Between June and September 2009 the pair carried out a series of thefts at Lea Green, Winwick, Widnes and Broad Lane, St Helens.
Detective Inspector Andrea Rainey, head of BTP NW Proactive Policing Team, said: “The actions of Waugh and Halliwell caused major disruption to the railway between Liverpool and Warrington with each theft causing delays to either passenger or freight lines.
“In total the thieves managed to take almost thousands of metres of signalling and communications cable which cost Network Rail an estimated £25,000 to replace and repair.”
But the seriousness of their offending was highlighted in one incident committed in the early hours of 28 July 2009 at St Helens. This affected rail services on the West Coast Mainline between Winwick and Wigan as well as those running between Wigan and St Helens.
It took more than 11 hours to locate the damage which caused more than 7,000 minutes of delays and saw 170 cancellations and 49 part-cancellations with a staggering cost to the industry of almost £8.5million.
DI Rainey added: “There is no doubt that Waugh and Halliwell caused massive issues for the railway during their four-month spree and today’s sentence reflects the misery they cause for countless passengers.
“The sentence should also send a clear message to others intent on carrying out similar thefts that this activity will not be tolerated and BTP and the court service take a dim view of anyone who creates similar issues for the railway.”
Norvall Waugh pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and was sentenced to two years imprisonment for each count. He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of obstructing an engine and was sentenced to six months imprisonment for each offence. All sentences are to run concurrently.
Wayne Halliwell pleaded guilty to seven counts of handling stolen goods and was sentenced to two years imprisonment for each offence – to run concurrently.
