A �1,000 reward is being offered today to find a man suspected of cable-related thefts, which caused massive disruption for thousands of rail commuters.

SUFFOLK: A �1,000 reward is being offered today to find a man suspected of cable-related thefts, which caused major disruption for thousands of rail commuters.

British Transport police are anxious for help in discovering the whereabouts of Simon Paul Scott after he failed to answer bail following his arrest.

The BTP has released a photo of Scott, who is originally from Leeds but of no fixed abode, in the hope the public can help find him.

Travellers had to endure a nightmare pre-Christmas period on the railways which culminated with services being severely disrupted on December 14 for the fourth time in nine days.

Thieves attempted to steal a huge amount of metal wire from the Boreham area, in Essex, between Chelmsford and Hatfield Peveral.

They took 100 metres of copper, but in the process they cut through a 25,000 volt cable - risking death in the process - and a lineside early morning fire caused by power arcing between the cable and the ground.

All trains between Colchester and Shenfield were suspended while the work was being assessed, and by late morning a very limited service was introduced. The previous incidents were also of a similar nature.

BTP officers carried out late night patrols along the line during the following days.

Scott was arrested by police at the Boreham interchange, near Chelmsford, on December 21.

The 42-year-old was questioned and bailed to return to police on January 26, however he failed to appear.

As part of the appeal for information on Scott's location, Network Rail has put up a �1,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest

BTP Chief Inspector, Jason Bunyard, said: “Scott is known to frequent the Basildon, Laindon, Shenfield, Prittlewell and Southend areas and is wanted for further questioning in relation to cable-theft offences in the Chelmsford area.

“Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to contact police as soon as possible.”

Information in relation to these offences should be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 using the BTP reference number B603022010.