MAJOR disruption to train services between Oxford, Didcot, Reading and London yesterday was caused by the theft of a 300ft section of signal cable.

The incident, which happened at West Drayton, in west London, at about 11.30am, crippled signals for the rest of the day, affecting thousands of passengers heading home to Oxfordshire in the afternoon rush-hour.

British Transport Police believe the cable was stolen by scrap metal thieves, who plan to sell its copper wire.

On June 3, morning peak trains on the Cotswold Line between Oxford and Worcester were also disrupted when thieves tried to take signal cables from a level crossing near Evesham, in Worcestershire.