Police hunt cable thieves who caused travel misery for rail passengers

Around 20 metres of signalling cable was taken from the line at the intersection between the Robin Hood Line and Trowell line, in Lenton, Nottingham, causing huge delays to passengers across the county.

The theft caused 13 trains to be cancelled and 80 more were delayed, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling through Mansfield, Worksop, Hucknall and the surrounding areas.

The British Transport Police believe the thieves may have accessed the line in the early hours of Saturday, March 12, from access points near Furnace Road or Robert Shaw Primary School.

Sergeant Matthew Peters said, “We received reports of signalling failure in the area at 3.46am on Saturday morning.

“The theft resulted in significant knock on delays to passengers in the Nottinghamshire area whilst the cabling was replaced.

“I am keen to hear from residents and anyone else who may have any information about the theft.”

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference quoting reference 541 of 12/3.

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.