In France and Belgium, 3,6 tonnes of presumed stolen cables seized

During these operations, the police were assisted by experts from SNCF and Orange, who checked the discovered cables, the press release stated. Transport and telecommunications companies are particularly affected by these thefts, which particularly target copper cables.

In Mouscron, Belgium, 1,3 tonnes of stolen copper cables were discovered, "including 450 kg identified as SNCF equipment," while in Lille, police found "1,9 tonnes of stolen burnt orange copper cables" and "171 kg of stolen SNCF aluminum cables."

"Several suspects involved in these illegal activities" have been arrested, the prefecture said, without providing further details.

"The authorities targeted companies specializing in metal recycling, which are sometimes used to sell stolen cables," the prefecture explained.

In France, cable thefts have disrupted rail traffic several times in recent weeks.

At the end of February, TER services were interrupted for an entire Sunday at Lille Flandres station after a cable theft. In Alsace, services between Colmar and Mulhouse were severely disrupted on March 6 for the same reason.

SNCF has implemented several measures to prevent metal theft, including drones flying over railway lines.