Police have launched an investigation into cable theft which saw Metro services between Wallsend and Monkseaton grind to a halt all morning (January 5).
Some 45 metres of cabling was speedily repaired by engineers but the disruption is caused havoc for commuters, who were forced to use buses instead.
A spokesman for Nexus, which operates the Metro, said: ““Cable theft causes huge disruption to our customers. It is dangerous to tamper with trackside equipment which has high voltage power running through it. Thieves are risking their lives by doing this."
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Nexus announced just after midday that the line had reopened.
Meanwhile, officers at Northumbria Police confirmed and investigation had been launched into the theft, which they say took place in the Percy Main area of North Shields.
“The theft occurred in the early hours of this morning and has resulted in substantial disruption to the network," said a spokesman for the force.
“We will not tolerate this type of dangerous and reckless behaviour, and are committed to taking swift action against anybody found to have been involved."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of its website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230105-0143.
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