British Transport Police said 59 trains were affected on Thursday when thieves tried to steal copper cabling used on the tracks near Warrington, Cheshire.

A day earlier about 60m of the cables were taken from the same area, causing delays on more than 40 services.

Police said the thieves were putting themselves in danger and risking passengers' safety.

Residents near the Winwick junction disturbed the thieves late on Wednesday night as they tried to take three large sections of the cable on the Warrington to Earlestown line.

Power was lost, causing about six hours of delays.

Risk to passengers

The day before 46 trains were affected, and services on the West Coast mainline disrupted.

Sgt Andy Tomkins, from the transport police, said: "This second incident has occurred in almost exactly the same location as Tuesday's theft.

"We need local residents to come forward with any information that may assist the enquiry.

"These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risking serious injury by cutting cables without knowing if they carry a charge.

"The safety of passengers and rail staff is also potentially at risk if power supply is cut to the rail network."