OREANDA-NEWS. In the first six months of 2014 the number of cases of copper theft on the Belgian rail network dropped to 140. That's 76% less than the same period a year earlier. The specific measures taken by Infrabel, NMBS/SNCB and the railway police against this plague of thefts have already yielded significant results.

The figures speak for themselves

Barely a year after the launch of the National Action Plan against copper theft, the decrease experienced is spectacular. In the first half of 2013 Infrabel had to deal with 585 incidents, of which 353 had a direct impact on passenger transport. In the first six months of 2014, passenger transport was affected by only 97 copper thefts. This represents a decrease of more than 72%.

Checks and security measures

On 23 May 2013 Infrabel and the NMBS/SNCB, with the support of politicians and the railway police, launched their National Action Plan against copper theft.

The plan consisted of a variety of actions, such as:

replacing copper cables with aluminium where possible

concreting over or burying copper cables

lobbying for a ban on cash payments in the copper trade (Royal Decree in force since July 2013)

the introduction of increased fines and penalties for copper thieves

increased vigilance by security staff and police, with targeted control actions accompanied by air support.

Since the launch of the National Action Plan 243 interventions have already been carried out by Securail, the security service of SNCB.