Thieves disrupt trains

Thieves risked their lives and caused severe disruption to train passengers when they stole cable from the East Coast Mainline at Claypole.

Overhead copper cabling that carries 650 volts was stolen from the Scotland to London line at about 5.30am on Saturday. A telecommunications cable was also cut.

The fail-safe system automatically turns signals to red to prevent accidents after an incident like this.

The warning lights and sirens at Claypole’s three level crossings were on for several hours.

It affected 150 trains including seven that were cancelled and 20 that could not complete their journeys. Others were delayed.

Some trains were able to continue because rail staff manually signalled trains through the affected stretch.

Normal service resumed at about 10.40am.

A spokesman for Network Rail said metal thefts did not just affect the railway but any industry where cabling was used.

She said security had been stepped up and there had been nine arrests since eight inspectors started working in the Sheffield and north Nottinghamshire areas at the beginning of the year.

The spokesman said a helicopter was also used to protect storage areas and to pursue thieves.

She said Network Rail was working with British Transport Police to cut down on the thefts, which cost the rail industry millions of pounds to replace the cables and in payouts to delayed travellers.

She said the money would be much better spent on improving the lines.

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour near a railway line should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.

l Thieves stole £30,000-£40,000-worth of brass castings from the foundry at Flowserve pumps, Hawton Lane, Balderton.

The thieves avoided setting off the sensory alarm when they broke-in between Friday and Monday.

Sergeant Tim Burch, of Newark police, said the building had been targeted several times.

Anyone with information should call Newark police on 01636 605999.