Cable Theft Disrupts Rail Services Across Yorkshire, Malaysia

Cable theft has caused significant disruption to rail services in both Yorkshire, UK, and northern Malaysia. In Yorkshire, the theft of signalling cable near Wakefield Westgate led to faults in the signalling system, temporarily closing all lines between the station and Doncaster and Sheffield, affecting multiple train services including CrossCountry, LNER, and Northern, with delays and cancellations reported until about 10:00 BST. Similarly, in Malaysia, cable theft on three Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) northern routes resulted in train delays of 80 to 115 minutes for several Electric Train Services and Komuter routes, with an estimated 350 meters of cable stolen across affected locations. KTMB has recorded 45 cable theft cases in the northern sector from January to May 2025, causing significant operational losses and safety concerns. To combat this, KTMB plans to invest RM12.8 million annually over the next three years to upgrade its signalling network, including installing locking manhole covers, enhancing surveillance with CCTV and drones, erecting anti-climb fencing, and intensifying patrols with auxiliary police. Both regions demonstrate the severe operational impact of cable theft on public rail transport and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.