OREANDA-NEWS. There were 217 thefts on the railway network in 2014, compared to 810 in 2013. That equates to a drastic reduction of 73%, and shows that the joint action taken by Infrabel, SNCB and, in particular, the police and the government as part of the National Anti Cable Theft Plan has proven a great success. However, far from resting on their laurels after these positive results, all of those involved intend to continue the fight.

An historic reduction

217 thefts in 2014, that is over 600 fewer thefts than in 2013, which is a reduction of 73% when compared with the previous year: these are the lowest and most encouraging figures in 6 years!

During the first half of 2013, Infrabel launched its National Anti Cable Theft Plan to combat this phenomenon, which had become a scourge by 2012, the worst year in terms of cable theft. As part of this plan, a series of technical measures were taken:

Replacing the copper with aluminium

Burying the cables

Video surveillance

Stock concentration

There were also structural, legal and repressive measures which were determined in agreement with the government and police force.

The latest initiative involved Infrabel launching an awareness campaign within the relevant police services as well as among scrap merchants by providing them with a kit including the most frequently stolen cables. This would help them quickly recognise any illegal cables.

Robust action from Securail and the Police

Both day and night, Securail, the railway police, as well as all other police departments and all railway workers are on the alert. The figures for 2014 are revealing: 129 interventions for Securail and 34 coordinated actions between Securail and the police.

The results are plain to see: a dramatic drop in the number of instances of cable theft, several arrests and statements submitted as well as several cable thieves caught red-handed.

Consequences for passengers

This clear reduction in the number of thefts also has a positive impact on passengers. As such, in 2014 162 thefts caused notable delays compared with 498 in 2013. That is a drop of 67%.

In total, an average of 40 minutes of delays per day were recorded last year. Looking back at the 3 hours 30 minutes of daily delays recorded in 2012, we can see how far we have already come, and must continue our efforts in order to improve punctuality further still.