Railway Cable Theft Thwarted Near Pentre-bach After Joint Police Operation

An attempted theft of railway cables was thwarted following coordinated action between Transport for Wales, South Wales Police, and British Transport Police, leading to the arrest of three suspects.

During the early hours of New Year’s Eve 2025, covert security cameras installed along the Core Valley Lines (CVL) detected three people trespassing on the railway near Pentre-bach. The alert was immediately passed to Transport for Wales (TfW) security teams, who worked alongside South Wales Police to respond.

Officers attended the location and intercepted the individuals, who were arrested on suspicion of theft. Responsibility for the investigation has since been handed over to British Transport Police.

Investigators discovered that more than 125 metres of cable had been cut and taken, with an estimated scrap value of around £2,000.

However, TfW highlighted that the wider impact of cable theft extends far beyond scrap prices. Comparable incidents last year resulted in repair costs exceeding £750,000, as well as hundreds of hours of service delays and cancellations affecting passengers.

With 99 per cent of the South Wales Metro network now electrified, TfW has issued a warning that cable theft presents an increased danger. All overhead line equipment and cables alongside the railway should be considered live at all times.

Loren Curry, Project Director for the Core Valley Lines, said:

“These arrests send a clear message that cable theft on our network will not be tolerated. Thanks to the decisive actions of our security teams and our strong partnership with police, we’ve prevented a significant theft. Cable thefts not only cost TfW and the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in repairs, but they also cause major disruption for the communities who rely on our services. We hope this incident acts as a strong deterrent to anyone considering similar criminal activity.”

Transport for Wales said it continues to work closely with British Transport Police and is urging passengers and nearby communities to remain vigilant. Members of the public are encouraged to report concerns such as damaged fencing or people trespassing on the railway.

Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour is advised to contact British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016 for non-emergency reports. If a crime is taking place, members of the public should call 999 immediately.

Image: Transport for Wales