Cash reward to trap cable thieves

The actions of the thieves were described as "extremely dangerous"

Rail bosses have offered a reward of up to £1,000 to help catch copper cable thieves who have been disrupting train services in Wakefield.

Network Rail and British Transport Police said the area has become a hotspot for the crime.

Latest figures show 39 incidents of cable theft in Wakefield from 1 April to 18 August, which have led to delays for passengers.

It is hoped the cash reward will help British Transport Police catch thieves.

'Risking lives'

Det Ch Insp Danny Snee, of British Transport Police, said: "Those who steal cable are not just risking a prison sentence, they are risking their lives.

"This is an extremely dangerous crime which is an attack on the community; passengers are missing holiday flights, hospital appointments and business or social meetings due to the delays caused."

He said that 4,000 leaflets and hundreds of posters highlighting the reward would be distributed in the area.

Dyan Crowther, route director for Network Rail, said: "We are doing everything we can to stop cable thieves, including increasing dedicated security patrols and investigating the use of technology used by the security services to protect the cable.

"Now we are asking people who live in the areas which have been worst affected to help us catch these thieves and keep the railway running."