Newsbrief: Explosive theft

Thieves who stole a van containing 24 detonators in Canning Town have been warned that they can explode if squeezed, and could easily blow a hand off.

The white Maestro van owned by GEC Alsthom was being used for work on a stretch of line close to Canning Town station. The detonators, made of red aluminium, are usually placed on lines to warn approaching trains to stop. They explode when the train runs over them, alerting drivers.