Copper theft, vandals causes rail delays

VANDALS in Noble Park caused Cranbourne and Pakenham line passengers delays of up to 30 minutes on 12 June.
A spokeswoman for rail operator Metro said they placed various items on the Corrigan Road level crossing about 9.25pm. Police attended the incident and train services resumed at 9.50pm.
The incident followed delays on 11 June affecting about 50,000 people during the morning peak, after overhead power failed due to thieves stealing copper cables.
Buses replaced trains between Dandenong and Westall stations but they couldn’t accommodate full train numbers and travel times more than doubled. Metro advised passengers to defer travel or seek alternate transport.
Copper’s increasing value is making theft a longstanding problem for Victoria’s rail service and other railways and industries around the world.
Stealing live cables can cause burns or even death because signal cables carry high volts.
Metro is using an infrared helicopter to survey the network overnight, patrols in regularly targeted areas and replacing stolen cables with less-valuable aluminium.
The operator urged anyone who noticed suspicious activity around the railway, particularly late at night, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.