From the
BTP▸ press release:
DETECTIVES RELEASE IMAGES IN AN APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER RAILWAY CABLE IS STOLEN ^ EASTLEIGH RAILWAY STATION
British Transport Police (BTP) is appealing for information after hundreds of pounds worth of railway cable was stolen from a storage yard near Eastleigh railway station.
Investigators have also taken the step of releasing images of three men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, which took place on Tuesday, 1 March.
Detective Constable Phil James, the investigating officer, said: ^An amount of cable was stolen from the storage yard between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, and a portion of it was discarded nearby. The act of stealing cable is an extremely dangerous crime which is costly to the rail industry and to the thousands of passengers who rely on the rail network.
^As part of our investigation we^ve conducted a number of enquiries to try to trace the men responsible for this incident, including circulating images on police intelligence systems and speaking with local neighbourhood policing teams, but to no avail so far.
^Those who steal cable are not only risking a court appearance, they are also risking their lives. If you are one of the men, or recognise them, we urge you to get in touch. I^m also appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area, or who has any information regarding these incidents, to contact us.^
Dyan Crowther, director, operational services at Network Rail, said: ^These criminal acts have to stop. Every day passengers and essential freight deliveries upon which our economy relies are being delayed by thieves looking to make a quick buck at our expense.
^I cannot over-emphasise just how serious these crimes are. Cable thieves deny passengers the service they rightly expect and, through the massive cost to the industry, deny everyone improvements to rail services.
^We are doing everything we can to protect the railway and will continue to work closely with British Transport Police and other rail partners to do everything in our power to deter thieves and bring those who attack our network to justice.^
Edit note: Images now removed due to expiry of copyright permission. CfN
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