Thieves steal railway explosives (From York Press)

Thieves steal railway explosives

4:48pm Friday 17th February 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

THIEVES have stolen a van containing explosive devices from a village near Selby.

The van was stolen from Lunnfields Lane, close to the A1(M) near Burton Salmon, and contained 16 railway detonators, explosive devices used to warn railway engineers of oncoming trains.

A police spokesman said a Ford Transit van, which belonged to a railway contractor, was stolen from the site between 12.35pm and 12.45pm on Thursday, February 16.

The drop-sided van, registration NA11ONR, has a black body with a white cab and signage reading Kelly Integrated Transport Services, and a police spokesman said two bags containing 16 foghorn detonators for use on railway lines were in the cab of the vehicle.

The detonators are yellow, approximately 5cm in diameter and attached to two lead straps, and are used by railway engineers to warn train drivers of accidents or incidents on the track ahead, or as a warning signal in dense fog when signals are difficult to see.

PC Dave Clark, of Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “We do not believe that the thieves knew the detonators were in the vehicle at the time and may have since dumped them somewhere.

“The stolen detonators do not pose a risk if they are handled correctly. However, despite their small size, if they are misused they may cause a serious injury.”

Anyone who has seen the detonators, or who has any information about the theft, should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12120024710.