Scrap-yards in Greater Manchester are being visited
by Network Rail (www.networkrail.co.uk) and the British Transport Police (www.btp.police.uk) to ensure that dealers are not trading stolen metal; the latest figures reveal more than 400 incidents of metal theft on the railway between London Euston and Carlisle in the 12 months to January 2020.

These thefts caused significant delays to passengers and cost Network Rail’s North West and Central Region an estimated £1.4 million.

Surprise visits to scrap-yards have taken place in recent weeks to remind traders of their obligations under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

By law, dealers must ensure that all traded metal is legally sourced and that sellers’ details are recorded.

Criminal gangs are increasingly targeting metal used in infrastructure and exploiting high metal prices.

However, thieves are being warned that police have ‘sophisticated ways’ to catch them, and that metal is being marked with various ‘trackable tags’.

Chief Inspector Gary Jones said: “BTP officers regularly work with industry partners — particularly Network Rail — to catch out and target metal thieves, which includes paying surprise visits to scrap metal yards.

“Our aim is to disrupt this criminal activity by targeting strategic points across the country.

"Cable theft on the rail system involves huge financial losses and causes hours of delays to millions of passengers. It is not a victimless crime.”