Police issue warning after rail explosives stolen

Police in West Yorkshire are warning people to be vigilant after railway explosives were stolen from a railway line.

Six detonators were taken from the railway line near Worsley Road, Level Crossing in Knottingley sometime between 8pm on Saturday, 2 April and 12.30am on Sunday, 3 April. Rail staff discovered the theft when they began work in the area on Sunday morning.

The detonators, which are safe if handled correctly, are designed to be triggered by impact and emit a loud bang when a train passes over them. In this instance, a number of them had been placed on the track and were being by rail staff in order to warn rail maintenance workmen of approaching trains.

The detonators are described as small discs, approximately 5cm in diameter with two lead strips on either side.