Reward to capture cable thieves

Rail bosses have offered a reward of up to £1,000 to help catch thieves who steal signalling cables in Teesside.

Network Rail and British Transport Police say the Tees Valley has become a national hot spot for the crime.

Latest figures show 69 incidents of cable theft in the area from 1 April to 18 August, which has led to delays for passengers.

It is hoped the reward offer will help British Transport Police catch the criminals involved.

Dyan Crowther, Route Director for Network Rail said: "We are doing everything we can to stop the 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 to catch these thieves and to keep the railway running."

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