Anti-tank mines stolen from train in Warrington Published duration 28 October 2012

image caption The munitions were noticed as missing when the train arrived in Didcot, Oxfordshire

Detectives are searching for anti-tank mines stolen from a freight train after it pulled into Warrington.

Ten packages of munitions, each containing four weapons cases, were on the train when it left Longtown, Cumbria, at 11:30 BST on Wednesday.

They were found to be missing when the train arrived at Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Seven were found near a railway line near Folley Lane, Warrington, but three packages are still missing, North-West Counter Terrorism Unit (NWCT) said.

The Ministry of Defence-owned munitions were taken off the train when it was temporarily stationary in Warrington, police said.

'Could be hazardous'

They are appealing for anyone who has seen the packages to get in touch.

The mines are described as being rectangular plastic tubes, approximately 4ft (1.2m) in length.

Greater Manchester Police's NWCT is investigating, along with the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, of the NWCT, said: "At this stage there is nothing to suggest the theft is terrorist-related, but due to the potential complexity of the investigation, our inquiries are being led by counter-terrorism officers.

"I want to make it clear that, in their normal condition, these munitions are stable and do not pose a risk to the public.