A REWARD of £1,000 is on offer after thieves set fire to railway cable in an attempt to steal it from the line in the early hours of this morning.

British Transport Police (BTP) detectives are currently investigating the incident which took place on the line close to Sunderland Bridge, Durham, at around 2.30am.

Detective Sergeant Alan Darlington, of BTP, said the cable was removed from the track, and set alight in a bid to steal and sell on for scrap.

“The vandalism caused track circuit failure along the line as well as a loss of signal. Repairs were carried out by engineers, but inevitably the incident caused disruption to early morning services,” he said.

Officers are now carrying an in depth investigation, including speaking to the local community and visiting scrap metal dealers for any information.

“Gaining access to the rail line is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. The railway is an inherently dangerous environment, with high speed trains and electric currents, and anyone who trespasses onto the railway is taking a gamble with their own lives.

“Those responsible for this crime have not only risked their own live or lives in danger by accessing the line, but they have continued to attempt to steal cable in a serious arson attack – which has a direct impact on the everyday lives of the travelling public and early morning commuters.

"It really is an attack on the community and is a crime which is costly to the rail industry and to the thousands of passengers who rely on the rail network.”

Network Rail and the independent charity Crimestoppers are offering the £1,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of cable thieves. They can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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.

“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.”

Information can also be passed to British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting background reference B8/NEA of 29/06/2011.