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At the end of June, some 600 metres of copper cables were stolen overnight from tracks used by Eurostar near Lille in northern France. It resulted in train cancellations and severe delays for passengers.
James Coyle, Managing Director of railway security guarding firm Land Sheriffs, has advised that this incident is not uncommon, but that it emphasises the importance of a physical security presence on our railways. He says: โCable theft happens regularly in the UK and Europe, with some reports suggesting itโs actually on the rise. Thieves cut and steal signalling cables, power lines and even security fences, which can bring trains to a halt. Thatโs why having a dedicated, visible security presence on the railway is so important for theft prevention, as well as quick de-escalation and management of other security issues.โ
According to Network Rail in the UK, cable theft costs millions of pounds each year due to replacement, repair and delays. And, when factoring in the repercussions of freight and passenger delays, the cost to the economy is even higher. Land Sheriffs suggest that whilst CCTV certainly has its place to helping prevent cable theft, itโs covert and overt CCTV coverage alongside proactive mobile patrols, manned guarding and continuous monitoring which will make a difference.
James says: โOur teams are trained to patrol the railways, with particular attention given to vulnerable areas. We spot suspicious activity early โ whether on foot or from camera coverage monitored at our Operational Control Centre โ and respond quickly to prevent damage before it happens. Our services have helped stop cable theft first-hand, in turn reducing delays and costs to rail operators and passengers alike.โ
The firm, a member of the ACS Pacesetters group of highest-scoring SIA-approved guarding companies, stresses also that itโs not just about the significant costs and delays that come from cable theft โ itโs the danger.
โOn top of severe disruption, cable theft poses an exceptional risk of injury and even a threat to life. Stepping onto or around the tracks is always dangerous โ and itโs illegal โ so preventing this is a key focus for our trespass and welfare deployment. With our physical security presence and our CCTV services, we deter people from trespassing and stop them from putting themselves and others at risk,โ states James.
The security firm has operated in the rail industry for 20 years, working with rail operators including Network Rail, HS1, Abellio Greater Anglia, MTR Elizabeth Line and more.
โIncidents like the theft near Lille remind us of how vulnerable rail infrastructure can be. With dedicated security services, the impact of cable theft can often be reduced โ or prevented entirely โ with the right planning and protection in place. A consistent, dedicated security presence like ours plays a key role in that,โ adds James.
More on Land Sheriffs (pictured, railway perimeter, west London) in the July and August editions of Professional Security Magazine.
Wind farms
Meanwhile, at the security firm DeterTech, crime analysts who monitor metal theft on behalf of critical infrastructure companies and the police, have already logged 27 reported incidents in 2025 against wind farms, compared to a typical historical annual figure of four to five. This yearโs losses through theft of copper and associated downtime for turbines has now surpassed ยฃ2m.
DeterTech adds that it first sounded the alarm on the escalated threat to UK wind farms in May. At that time attacks were primarily concentrated in the east of England. After a brief hiatus, offending has spread nationwide. Attacks in June and July have been recorded across England, Scotland and Wales, taking place as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Cornwall. Any UK location should now be considered vulnerable given previous areas of offending are no longer an accurate indicator of future targets.
The firm recommends wind farm operators review their site security infrastructure, and turbines, for any signs of tampering or theft. All incidents, including suspicious vehicles attempting entry to sites, should be reported to the police. This could provide vital intelligence and helps to establish a true picture of offending across the UK.
Richard Crisp, Intelligence Analyst at DeterTech, says: โThis linked series of offending against onshore wind turbines is unprecedented and leads us to conclude that, right now, no site is safe. With copper continuing to trade at over $9,500 USD, this is the time to revisit site security plans and make any necessary adjustments.โ
Threats
Thieves are targeting copper, DeterTech reports. In cases where aluminium was discovered after cables were cut, the material was left in situ, underscoring copperโs high value. Displaying appropriate signage may help prevent unnecessary cuts to aluminium cabling. Most attacks are carried out under cover of darkness, suggesting planning and execution. The offenders do not seem perturbed that turbines are active when entering, suggesting familiarity with the infrastructure. The scale, precision, and repeatability of the attacks point to professional gangs with detailed knowledge of infrastructure vulnerabilities. Theft on this scale relies on established disposal routes.
