Six arrested after cable is stolen from Atkins rail project

Six arrested after cable is stolen from Atkins rail project

Six people have been arrested after the theft of cable from a rail project being carried out by Atkins, it is understood.
Between £200,000 and £300,000 worth of cable has been stolen from the Basingstoke resignalling project during the past year.

Network Rail said thefts were symptomatic of a widespread problem, driven by the high value of the scrap metal industry.

There were more than 1,000 incidents of cable theft in 2006/07.

Network Rail said it is taking steps to prevent theft by working with British Transport Police, using security patrols, CCTV, a helicopter and by marking cables.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “These thefts cause massive disruption for rail passengers.”

Cable on the Basingstoke project has been stole from sub-stations and depots, which are thought to include Barton Mills, Worthing Junction, Andover and Battledown.

The project covers the design, installation and commissioning of a control centre and 185 new signals covering more than 60 miles of line.

Atkins declined to comment.