Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many instances of cable theft affecting train services have been reported in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what steps the Government is taking to help reduce this number; and if he will make a statement.

The British Transport Police (BTP) recorded 214 incidents of live cable theft in 2022-2023.

The Government recognises the disruption that can be caused by cable theft and strongly supports BTP’s engagement with the rail industry, and operational activities to tackle it. The BTP-led National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership works to problem solve, disrupt and reduce all aspects of metal and infrastructure crime across the UK. BTP also have dedicated disruption teams which proactively target metal crime hotspots. The Force conducts a national training programme to upskill police forces and partners across the UK to tackle metal crime.