Drone patrols in operation after £100,000 cable stolen from electrification project

Drone patrols are now in operation after a £100,000 high-voltage power cable was stolen over the Christmas period.

The cable, used to provide power to overhead line equipment, was taken from the Lostock area on the Bolton to Wigan line which is currently being electrified.

Network Rail said the cable was stolen a week before the line was due to be energised for the first time on New Year’s Day. As a result of the theft, the line between Chorley and Bolton had to be closed on December 29 while the damaged cable was replaced and system retested.

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail’s Capital Delivery director, said: “It is extremely frustrating for this crime to take place so close to the energisation of the line. Our teams have been working very hard to deliver this upgrade for passengers over several years including over this Christmas period.

“We are working closely with the British Transport Police (BTP) to provide additional security measures and to find and prosecute those accountable."

BTP has now said drone patrols will be in operation at the site over the coming days and weeks.

Chief Inspector Adam Swallow said: "Since being made aware of the theft of this high-value equipment from the engineering project at Lostock, we are working at pace to investigate the incident. We are appealing to anybody who witnessed the incident or any events leading up to the incident to get in touch as soon as possible. Any information could help us establish the circumstances surrounding this incident."

Anyone with information is asked to call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting log 148 – 23.12.24.

The project to electrify the line between Wigan and Bolton started in 2022 and is due to be finished in 2025.

A few days later, Network Rail engineers investigating a signalling system alert early on the Merseyrail syatem on the morning of December 29, found that a cable that provides power to signalling equipment had been cut in three places.

Replacing the cable and testing it led to delays between Liverpool and Hunts Cross.

Paul Owen, Network Rail’s North West route operations director, said: “Over the festive period we have seen a spike in cable thefts and attempted thefts across the North West route. This is incredibly frustrating for us and the passengers who rely on the railway.  We are working closely with the British Transport Police to provide additional security measures and to find and prosecute those responsible."