Rail thieves face clampdown

Train tracks

A new taskforce is to clampdown on thieves who have brought misery to Rochdale’s rail travellers.

Train services between Rochdale and Manchester have been thrown into chaos several times after thieves ripped out copper cables used to control points and signals.

Now, Home Office Minister Alan Campbell has announced a six-week pilot of a new National Metal Theft Crime Unit to tackle rogue scrap metal dealers who are illegally handling metal stolen from the railway as well as church roofs, manhole covers, and even road signs and telephone lines.

Mr Campbell said: “Metal theft is not a victimless crime. It is a serious problem with consequences for business and infrastructure, from damaged electricity and telephone cables to leaking church roofs. Metal theft has even caused power cuts and closed rail lines.”

The pilot will be evaluated at the end of March and then may be made permanent.

Paul Crowther, assistant Chief Constable of the British Transport Police said: “We welcome the commitment from the Home Office to assist us in tackling this major crime.

“Police forces across the UK have devoted considerable resources to driving down this type of crime, through targeted policing including intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols using dogs and off-road motorbikes and scrap yard visits.

“We hope this approach will enable us to make a real impact and further our efforts to arrest those involved and put them before the courts.”

Lindsay Millington of the British Metals Recycling Association said: “Metal theft is a major headache for our industry. There are too many criminals evading the rules.

“We are meeting regularly with the police to help them understand how the industry operates. Joint action with other regulatory authorities to close down unregistered sites is an important first step.”