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9 January 2009
A new clampdown on the growing problem of metal theft — estimated to cost the country £360m each year — was announced today by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell.
The new national metal theft crime unit is being piloted for six weeks to clampdown on rogue scrap metal dealers who are illegally handling metal stolen from church roofs, man-hole covers and even telephone lines.
The unit — which will be run by the Association of Chief Police Officers (new window) (ACPO) and the British Transport Police (new window) (BTP) and jointly funded by the Home Office and the Energy Networks Association — will share best practice ideas with police forces throughout England and Wales. It aims to highlight the tools and powers available to tackle this problem.
Statement from Home Office Minister
Home Office minister Alan Campbell said, ‘Metal theft is not a victimless crime. It is a serious problem with consequences for business and infrastructure, from damaged electricity and telephone cables to leaking church roofs. Metal theft has even caused powercuts and closed rail lines.
'I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot for the new national metal theft crime unit.'
The pilot will be evaluated at the end of March and then may be rolled out across the country.
Association of Chief Police Officers' statement
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Crowther of the British Transport Police and ACPO lead on metal theft said, ‘We welcome the commitment from the Home Office to assist us in tackling this major crime.
‘Police forces across the UK have devoted considerable resources to driving down this type of crime, through targeted policing including intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols using dogs and off-road motorbikes and scrap yard visits.
‘We hope this approach will enable us to make a real impact and further our efforts to arrest those involved and put them before the courts.'
Other statements
David Bonehill, of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, said, ‘2008 was the worst year ever for metal theft from churches. Thefts devastate important religious buildings, but they also cause irreparable damage to our heritage and disrupt vital community activities.
'We’ve been working hard for over two years to give churches the power to protect themselves. We must remain vigilant if we want to protect our churches, schools and heritage properties for the future.'
David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association (ENA), said, ‘There are real victims and real problems for communities when thieves steel electricity cabling, gas piping and other items vital to the transmission and distribution of energy.
'ENA’s members are strongly backing the new national metal theft crime unit as part of work already being undertaken by the police and energy companies in tackling an issue which has an impact on public safety and access to essential services.'
Lindsay Millington of the British Metals Recycling Association said, ‘Metal recycling is a long established, globally successful industry with well established regulation. But metal theft is a major headache for our industry. There are too many criminals evading the rules and seeking to piggy-back the industry’s success.
'We are meeting regularly with the police to help them understand how the industry operates. Joint action with other regulatory authorities to close down un-registered sites is an important first step.'
Notes to editors
- The Energy Networks Association, which is made up of representatives from the Home Office, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (new window), utility companies and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (new window), has estimated that metal theft costs £360 million each year.
- The Home Office will host a workshop with ACPO and the British Transport Police to explore how to enhance the drive against metal theft on Monday, 26 January. Government departments and agencies with a regulatory or enforcement role in dealing with the problem will be invited.
