THIEVES stole dozens of air straps from a freight train in York, costing thousands of pounds of damage.

They cut 78 straps from a train in Holgate sidings, sometime between 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 12, and 8.15am the next day.

Police are conducting house to house inquiries in the area and have visited metal recyclers to see if anyone has tried to sell on the items.

Sgt Granville Sellers, of British Transport Police, said: “Due to their size, the straps themselves are practically worthless, but the damage caused to the train to repair and replace the straps has been estimated at more than £4,800.”

The straps protect the train in the case of an electrical power surge, and Sgt Sellers said the theft not only caused financial loss to the rail company, but also risked the health of workers.

He asked anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious to phone BTP on 0800 405040.