Cable theft disrupts Tyne and Wear Metro in Gateshead

Cable theft disrupts Tyne and Wear Metro in Gateshead

According to an article published by the BBC, the Tyne and Wear Metro network experienced significant service disruptions on 18 June 2026 following a theft of infrastructure cable. The incident occurred in the Felling area of Gateshead during the early hours of the morning.

The BBC reports that the stolen cables were essential for powering the Metro's signalling equipment. This forced operator Nexus to suspend services between Monument station and the South Shields and South Hylton lines. Engineers were dispatched to replace the stolen equipment, allowing train services to resume later that day.

Stuart Clarke, infrastructure director at Nexus, stated that the theft caused widespread disruption for passengers and noted the extreme danger involved in tampering with high-voltage trackside equipment. The offence has been reported to the police for further investigation.

Businesses should ensure that all critical infrastructure and external equipment are secured and monitored to prevent unauthorized access.

Source : Bbc