POLICE have arrested a suspected metal thief who allegedly broke into a city centre building site.

The 36-year-old was nicked by cops after security at the site in St James Road, Townhead raised the alarm.

Officers raced to the scene at around 3.20am on Tuesday and detained the suspect as well as recovering a quantity of copper piping.

Inspector Gavin Smith, who is based in the city centre, said: "Police were called to a report of alleged theft in St James Road, Glasgow at around 3.20am on Tuesday.

"A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident."

He is expected to appear in court at a later date.

It comes as commuters faced travel chaos after metal thieves cut cable from a busy railway line.

As reported in late editions of yesterday's Evening Times, passengers between Glasgow and Edinburgh were hit by delays after thieves stripped a "large quantity" of copper signalling cable from the line.

British Transport Police (BTP) are today continuing their probe into the incident, which was discovered at around 5am.

It is the second time in two weeks commuters travelling between the cities by train were hit by delays because of railway cable theft.

Around 100 metres of copper signalling cable was stolen from the line between Croy and Falkirk exactly two weeks ago.

Sources said it was “too early to say” if the incidents are linked.

Scottish Labour Justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: “This is the second time in a month that thieves have targeted this line, selfishly stealing cable to sell as scrap metal.

"It also means that yet again thousands of commuters across the central belt were inconvenienced.

“The SNP promised three years ago they would deliver the legislation to prevent cash sales of scrap metals across Scotland."

Work was completed by around 9am, however disruption on the line lasted until the afternoon.

ScotRail confirmed disruption to services had been caused by the incident between Croy and Falkirk stations and apologised to customers.

A BTP spokesman confirmed an investigation was underway into the theft and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.