Cable thieves may have posed as rail staff

A series of cable thefts in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire are believed to have been carried out by thieves posing as rail engineering staff [20 December 2011]

British Transport Police (BTP) said the thieves had primarily targeted signalling cable.

The thefts of the cable occurred in the Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Honeybourne and Evesham areas of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

The cable stolen had caused considerable disruption to the network and will cost a large amount to replace.

The cabling was also left in a dangerous condition and could have caused injury to others.

Det Ch Insp John Pyke said: "They clearly have some specialised knowledge and it would take them time to carry out the thefts.

"That makes us think that they may be posing as rail engineers so as not to arouse suspicion."

He said they believe the gang is responsible for at least four incidents: at Chipping Campden on 15 November, at Eckington on 3 December, at Honeybourne on 8 December and at Evesham on 14 December.

"They choose very rural locations and must be using one or more vehicles to take the cable away," he said.

Mr Pyke said anyone who sees people working on the railway can contact BTP who can check if they are genuine engineers.

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