Tyne and Wear Metro is ramping up patrols and offering a huge reward for information as it cracks down on cable theft after days of disruption.
The Metro network has been targeted three times in the past week, with nearly 100 metres of cabling stolen from the line in just two days.
It has seen service suspensions in place for more than 16 hours since New Year’s Eve, sparking fury among commuters.
Read more: Tyne and Wear Metro set for whopping ticket fare hike as passengers face rise of up to 13.9%
And now, Nexus, which runs the Metro, has had enough.
“Overnight security patrols are being stepped up on Metro following three incidents of cable theft in North Tyneside,” said a spokesman for the operator.
“In each case the damage that was caused to sensitive signalling equipment by the thieves has been repaired by our engineers, but it has led to disruption for customers.
“The offences are being investigated by Northumbria Police and officers are undertaking extensive searches and will continue to provide regular checks across the system.
“We are supporting the police with their investigation and are checking all available CCTV to see if we can pinpoint the offenders.”
An attempted cable theft on December 31 saw service suspended for six hours between Four Lane Ends and South Gosforth. Thieves then stole 40 metres from the line near Meadow Well yesterday (January 5) causing disruption for six hours, and a further 50 metres from the line between Percy Main and Meadow Well again today, with disruption for four hours.
“Cable theft causes huge disruption to our customers. It is dangerous to tamper with trackside equipment which has high voltage power running through it, and thieves are risking their lives by doing this,” added the Nexus spokesman.
“Anyone who gets caught faces prosecution and a possible prison sentence. A £1,000 cash reward is on offer for anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction.”
Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police via their ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101, quoting log number NP-20230106-0038.
Read More:
- 'Not a good deal' – Tensions as council leader claims North East 'forced' into £4.2bn devolution package
- Ex-Tory candidate rules out bid to become North East mayor under new £4bn devolution deal
- Luxurious Hotel Gotham set to transform old Newcastle fire station into five-star venue
- North East devolution deal: What comes next for £4bn move to create new regional mayor
- Newcastle Clean Air Zone: What you need to know about new pollution tolls before January 30
