Tighter security after rail theft

Security on East Midlands' railway lines is being stepped up after the second theft of signal cable in two weeks sparked severe passenger delays.

On Saturday thieves broke on to the East Coast line at Claypole, Lincs, and removed a length of cabling.

Services from London's Kings Cross and destinations in north east England and Scotland had delays of up to an hour.

British Transport Police said helicopter patrols were being increased in the affected areas.

A Network Rail spokesman added: "Cable is also being watermarked so that police can identify them if they are sold."

On 3 August, cable was stolen from between Newark and Retford in Nottinghamshire which delayed passengers on the East Coast Main Line.