British Transport Police recovered one-tonne of cabling from a yard in south Essex as part of a day of action across six counties, last Friday.Hurrah!
In total officers visited more than 40 scrap dealers and searched their premises as part of the crackdown, codenamed Operation Ablett.
They were searching for cabling, wire and metal thought to have been stolen and also checking dealers’ records to make sure checks take place on metal they buy to ensure it is not stolen.
Supt Paul Brogden, who headed the operation, said: “Cable theft is one of the biggest issues facing the rail industry today.It does indeed.
“Each year the actions of cable thieves cost train operating companies, Network Rail, public utilities companies and local communities millions of pounds in repairs and lost business.”
“Some of this cable carries extremely high voltage and we have seen a number of cases in which thieves have been seriously injured, suffering extensive burns, after cutting through live cable.”Something I’m quite in favour of, actually. Because I was reading this ‘Echo’ story on Thursday morning while I waited for my train.
My train, that was delayed and then cancelled by…you guessed it:
All c2c train services are suffering from severe delays and cancellations after cable thieves stole and caused damage to overhead lines.*sigh*
Not even the comfort of hearing ‘This train has been delayed while the coroner removes the remains of the attempted thieving scum from the lines with a shovel’ over the tannoy either….
I was quite grateful that I was working from home yesterday rather than having to deal with the aftermath of the theft but as I've experienced my of delays due to problems on c2c you have my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteI do agree though that it would have been some consolation if the bastards had fried.
This is third world-type thieving. In the old days (argh!)there was always an arrangement on site as we closed down with a scrappy. The bung went into a kitty for drinks on the last day. The scrappy would have a raised earth policy, so everyone got their kit away, before his guys came in and took all the trash. Worked all round. Now they are nicking the infrastructure itself - how long before they go whole hog and start demanding protection?
ReplyDeleteRaised earth policy
ReplyDeleteYou need a mole for that kind of op, don't you?
Unlike for a razed earth policy...
"Raised earth policy" - Well if they raise the earth conductor and put it really close to the live one (25,000v), it would greatly increase the chances of the thieving scum completing the circuit!!
ReplyDeleteSorry - just trying to be a technical smart-arse there....
I once knew someone who worked for the electrickery industry. Occasionally they would find a scorched skeleton down a manhole with the remains of cutting equipment in their bony hand (and I presume a surprised look on the skull's face.)
ReplyDeleteI guess it is a way of removing certain lowlifes from the gene pool.
"TransPennine Express apologises to travellers for delays as a result of travellers."
ReplyDelete"I was quite grateful that I was working from home yesterday..."
ReplyDeleteYou were indeed very fortunate!
"This is third world-type thieving."
Indeed. I remember reading in an old African hunting book about the first telegraph in Kenya being constantly raided by the local tribesmen for the copper wire. They made snares and bangles out of it!
"I guess it is a way of removing certain lowlifes from the gene pool."
Clearly, natural selection isn't working as fast as it should do!
"..."TransPennine Express apologises to travellers for delays as a result of travellers."..."
Yes, all indications do indeed point to those stationary 'travellers' for this one...
Cable thieves are modern day pirates and should die by firing squad, should they evade earthing themselves between 22 kV and earth. Absolutely zero tolerance. Apart from anything, the cable thieves tend to have a broad-spectrum effect on infrastructure, because while stealing copper there's a good chance they'll disrupt fibre and gas lines too, and that can kill people really easily. They're predators, and need to be extirpated. I would quite literally have cable-thieving pikeys shot by the side of the road, just like you'd call in Rentokil if there were rats eating the wiring in your house.
ReplyDelete"They're predators, and need to be extirpated. I would quite literally have cable-thieving pikeys shot by the side of the road..."
ReplyDeleteThere'd be a rush for the job, especially down here!