Does cable theft still happen?

thenorthern · 5 Apr 2016

While I was talking to someone on the phone this morning about taking metal to the scrap yard and how they require payment to be made by credit, name taken down and ID to be checked to cut theft.

A couple of years ago though there were incidents pretty much every day of cable theft and metal theft but these seem to have now gone.

Does cable theft still happen today though and how common is it?

RailUK Forums

DarloRich · 5 Apr 2016

yes it still happens

ilkestonian · 5 Apr 2016

According to reports I've read, the incidence has reduced significantly as a result of the stricter payment regulations.

grumblingalong · 5 Apr 2016

Couple of issues in the Nottigham/Mansfield area of late

duffield · 5 Apr 2016

I think I read that the recent measures reduced the incidence by about half.

Darandio · 5 Apr 2016

It certainly does seem less apparent up here, it was a near weekly problem. The last couple of times it's happened since the new measures have not been theft, but just cutting the cables. Probably more out of spite than anything.

father_jack · 5 Apr 2016

The Welsh Valleys have had a couple in the last few weeks.

broadgage · 5 Apr 2016

Yes, as others post, cable theft is still a problem but less serious than was the case a few years ago.
As well as the stricter laws regarding selling scrap, the declining price of copper has probably helped.

I also wonder if the current security situation is helping indirectly ? Transport infrastructure and passengers are favourite terrorist targets, and are therefore receiving extra attention from the security forces.
This extra attention probably discourages ordinary thieves as well as terrorists.

thenorthern · 5 Apr 2016

Smartwater according to Network Rail has been a good deterrent as it has a 100% conviction rate.

There have been a fairly large amount cable thieves electrocuted and killed which must be sad for the families but I don't think most of the public are too bothered about criminals being killed in the process of theft.

swt_passenger · 5 Apr 2016

There's hearsay evidence that fibre optic is often cut and left in situ in a failed search for copper. Similar effect on the railway as actually knicking it of course...

edwin_m · 5 Apr 2016

grumblingalong said:
Couple of issues in the Nottigham/Mansfield area of late

Three between Nottingham and Grantham I think. Something to do with the re-signalling?

furnessvale · 5 Apr 2016

swt_passenger said:
There's hearsay evidence that fibre optic is often cut and left in situ in a failed search for copper. Similar effect on the railway as actually knicking it of course...

That is true but fortunately the experienced thief quickly learns to recognise fibre optic cable and leaves it alone.

Hellzapoppin · 5 Apr 2016

Fibre optic is written on the cable so I suspect some of the thieves have learnt how to read.
However, some fibre cables are green and heavy which I suspect is mistaken for earth cables hence it being cut and left.

najaB · 5 Apr 2016

swt_passenger said:
There's hearsay evidence that fibre optic is often cut and left in situ in a failed search for copper. Similar effect on the railway as actually knicking it of course...

It's not hearsay - BT is affected by it on a weekly, if not more frequent, basis.

WestRiding · 5 Apr 2016

Happened last night at Treeton Goods Loop. Lovely area.

dk1 · 5 Apr 2016

Thankfully it's massively reduced. Occasionally hear it happening but they must be either desperate, thick but probably both.

ScouserGirl · 5 Apr 2016

Cable theft doesn't happen as much now but there have been a few incidents off late especially in the Nottingham area.

edwin_m · 5 Apr 2016

Even had one on the Eurostar near Lille last year. Thus proving it's not just a British problem!

alb1 · 6 Apr 2016

There was overnight cable theft near Treherbert, causing delays to services and bus replacement.

gimmea50anyday · 6 Apr 2016

An attempt was made at Darlington a couple of months back. Managed to cut one end but must have been disturbed or found the cable was fibre optic and buggered off. Since the new rules kicked in not had any actual thefts noted although had a couple of vandalism instances. Huge improvement.

PHILIPE · 6 Apr 2016

alb1 said:
There was overnight cable theft near Treherbert, causing delays to services and bus replacement.

There must still be a "rogue" dealer in the area following legislative registration with recent frequency in the Cardiff Valleys.

thenorthern · 6 Apr 2016

PHILIPE said:
There must still be a "rogue" dealer in the area following legislative registration with recent frequency in the Cardiff Valleys.

I know its not politically correct to say it but a large amount of the rouge dealers are gypsies particularly Irish Travelers which makes it harder to trace as most of them aren't registered companies and the owners aren't on the electoral roll.

Deerfold · 6 Apr 2016

thenorthern said:
I know its not politically correct to say it but a large amount of the rouge dealers are gypsies particularly Irish Travelers which makes it harder to trace as most of them aren't registered companies and the owners aren't on the electoral roll.

Do you have anything to back up this sweeping statement?

thenorthern · 6 Apr 2016

Deerfold said:
Do you have anything to back up this sweeping statement?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...pper-cable-theft-costing-Britain-fortune.html - mentions who they sell it to.

http://travellerstimes.org.uk/News/New-scrap-metal-law-to-hit-Travellers-hard.aspx - Discusses the then new law new law.

Steveman · 6 Apr 2016

thenorthern said:
I know its not politically correct to say it but a large amount of the rouge dealers are gypsies particularly Irish Travelers which makes it harder to trace as most of them aren't registered companies and the owners aren't on the electoral roll.

In Romania Roma gypsies have turned to taking whole sections of in use track for scrap and it's getting worse.They started with bolts and clips but now take the rails as well.
Now they are over here in force how long before they start on ours.

Deerfold · 6 Apr 2016

thenorthern said:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mos...pper-cable-theft-costing-Britain-fortune.html - mentions who they sell it to.

http://travellerstimes.org.uk/News/New-scrap-metal-law-to-hit-Travellers-hard.aspx - Discusses the then new law new law.

Your first link contains nothing in terms of statistics, reporting on comments from an anonymous source and then saying

Indeed, the crackdown by police on scrap-metal merchants is believed to have resulted in the rise in prominence of organised Roma gypsy criminal gangs, who ship stolen metal directly out of the country

With no indication who thinks this or with any evidence that it is true.

Your second link gives no indication that travellers are likely to break this law, merely warns them of its effects.

ctom_s · 6 Apr 2016

It was mentioned earlier but the declining copper price (halved since 2011) has definitely contributed to this.

I had also heard that traveller groups were often involved but never looked into it in detail

Carntyne · 6 Apr 2016

Vandalising and stripping out location cases seems to be the new 'in' thing.

Dai_Llama · 6 Apr 2016

Seems to be happening a bit recently on the Valleys.

Groningen · 6 Apr 2016

It is also done in the Netherlands; so nothing there. Countries with only diesel have nothing to fear! April 1st; last time between Rotterdam and Gouda.

Does cable theft still happen?

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