VANDALS disrupted rail services by cutting cables in signalling equipment.
Trains on the Mayflower line between Harwich and Manningtree were delayed on Monday after the crooks damaged the kit near Mistley station at 12.45pm.
The kit is used to detect when trains are in the station and drivers were forced to travel slower than usual through the station.
Network Rail engineers had fixed the damage by 3pm and services returned to normal shortly after.
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “Out officers were called to the rail line close to Mistley following reports cable had been damaged.
“An initial inspection of the scene found cable linked to signalling equipment to have been cut, causing disruption to services.
“Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 218 on December 15.”
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