A HUGE increase in thieves stripping copper from rail lines in the North East has led to thousands of hours of delays for passengers and repair bills topping £1.5m.

Soaring copper prices have seen rail cable thefts rise by a third, with the North East one of the worst-affected areas in the country with a 33% rise in the last year.

Transport police say rising demand for copper in China is to blame, with officers able to track the price of copper to see when thieves are more likely to strike.

But the targeting of signals and points is set to rise further, with April alone seeing a 48% rise compared to last year.

Last month, The Journal reported that churches in the region were being hit with huge bills as thieves take their copper piping and roof lead.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for 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.

“Since the start of the new financial year we have had a further 25 attacks in the North East causing more than 115 hours’ delay and costing a further £240,000. 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.”