METAL thefts have been blamed for hundreds of cancelled trains which run in and out of Swindon.

The figures, released by First Great Western, reveal that the company has suffered 117 cable thefts this year alone, causing a staggering 381 trains to be cancelled and resulting in delays adding up to 36,800 minutes.

In contrast, in 2009, just 13 journeys had to be abandoned after 61 incidents, the company told an inquiry by a committee of MPs.

Now a four-point plan to curb the growing trade in stolen metal will be considered by the Government, where ministers will decide whether to crack down hard on scrap-metal dealers who sell stolen signalling cable, following pleas from police and MPs across the country.

Network Rail has described how gangs repeatedly sever the cable ducting with an axe and roll up hundreds of metres of the wire, which they pile into the back of a pick-up truck.

The growing problem has been blamed on a sharp rise in the price of copper on world markets, combined with lax controls on scrap-metal dealers who buy the stolen cable from thieves.

Under existing legislation, the dealers must simply obtain a permit from the Environment Agency and register with their local authority to begin working in the industry.

Now the Local Government Association has put forward a four-point plan, which would: l Ban cash payments, so people who sell scrap metal can be traced more easily, l Require licences to be renewed on an annual basis l Install CCTV with automatic number plate recognition in scrap yards l Require scrap dealers to keep a detailed log of people from whom they buy metal.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said he was lobbying the Government to introduce new legislation.

Commenting on those who steal from railways, he said: “They’re endangering their lives and they’re endangering the lives of rail users.

“If they’re caught either stealing or handling stolen goods, they should be dealt with severely.

“I know, indeed, the courts take a dim view of this sort of behaviour.

“And there’s a strong public interest in individuals caught indulging in this being dealt with severely by the courts.

“It’s not just the inconvenience, it’s the danger to life and limb.”