Merseyside Police on Wednesday, July 20, teamed up with partners to combat metal thefts by carrying out visits to scrap metal yards around the region.
The operation was set up in response to concerns raised by the local community about the increasing value of scrap metal and the potential for criminals to steal it. Police and partners including; British Transport Police, Smartwater, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Environmental Health, VOSA, UK Borders Agency, HMRC and carried out what the force termed a visible, proactive policing operation.<br><br>Almost six crimes per day (5.8) are theft of metal related. This equates to 2.1 per cent of all recorded crime.<br><br>A key part of the operation was to engage with scrap metal dealers, so they can play their part in preventing metal thefts throughout the region as well as deterring criminals from engaging in this type of activity. Officers have also been issuing advice to householders, businesses and religious centres about how they can protect themselves.<br><br>On the day 35 scrap dealers were visited across the region:<br><br>Results included:<br><br>16 arrests (12 for metal theft related offences, two for possession of a controlled drug, one on suspicion of robbery and one on suspicion of rape)<br><br>Over 100 vehicle stop checked<br><br>Three non-endorsable fixed penalties<br><br>Two endorsable fixed penalties<br><br>A scrap yard in Birkenhead was closed for being unlicensed.<br><br>British Transport Police gathered evidence and are working on following up further leads<br><br>Detective Chief Inspector Neil Cowdrey, said: "While some criminals may see metal theft as a profitable business we are determined to show that if people are involved in this type of crime we will take action and they will be caught.<br><br>"Due to the escalating value of metals such as lead and copper, they have become attractive to thieves who are then exchanging them for cash. Churches and other religious buildings can often be attractive to metal thieves.<br><br>"Today, acting on concerns from residents about a potential increase in thefts as the price of metal rises, we took visible and direct action with the help of our partners.<br><br>"The spotlight was on the dealers today and officers have been visiting them to make sure they know all the regulations and are not storing stolen property. Metal theft is something that has caused misery to many and we’re determined to work with our partner agencies to clamp down on it.<br><br>"Ensuring the thieves have nowhere to sell their spoils is one way to do that.<br><br>"Residents and criminals should be aware that today was just the beginning of our focus on this type of crime and we will be carrying out further work around the area.<br><br>"The community are our eyes and ears and by sharing information and intelligence we can target those involved in this crime and bring them to justice."<br><br>Brian Dunn, of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, said: "Even the theft of a small amount of metal from one of our buildings has such a devastating impact to our communities.<br><br>"These types of theft can prove incredibly costly, not only to replace the missing lead and to repair the damage caused to roofs but it’s also possible that further damage is caused to the building in terms of items inside being ruined by the rain<br><br>"This can have a negative impact on the local communities who use these buildings for a variety of reasons including baptising their children, getting married and saying goodbye to loved ones. In some cases these buildings have to be closed whilst repairs take place.<br><br>"When people steal lead, it causes damage many times over what they are stealing is worth. It is local people who end up having to bear the cost. It is a crime that has a devastating impact on the people and communities that support our churches and depend on them in their everyday lives.<br><br>"These buildings are often seen as a focal point for the local community and we would encourage everyone, whether they attend a church or not, to keep their eyes open and report any suspicious behaviour immediately."<br><br>Meanwhile in Hull last month three men were arrested for stealing metal cabling from Network Rail following a call from a scrap dealer in Hull raising suspicions about the origins of the cabling being sold.<br><br>The scrap dealer called Humberside Police at 10.35am on Thursday 14 July 2011 reporting details of the type of metal being offered and also details of the vehicle and individuals involved.<br><br>Within an hour three men had been arrested in connection with the incident, with further enquiries on-going in relation to a fourth man involved.<br><br>Enquiries with Network Rail led to the cabling being identified as their property.<br><br>Two men aged 26 and 21 years old have been charged with theft. A 31 year old man has also been charged with entering into/concerned in acquisition/retention/use or control of criminal property.<br><br>All three men were released on bail to appear at Hull Magistrates Court on Tuesday 26 July 2011.<br><br>Following the arrest Police Sergeant Julian Hart, who is neighbourhood policing metal theft lead for Hull said: โThe cost of metal taken in metal theft incidents can be relatively small, but the ripple effect caused in rectifying damage caused for victims can be huge, especially on this occasion where cable is believed to have been taken from the railway infrastructure, which has implications for the safety of the signalling, and impacts upon the smooth operation of the train services in the city and nationwide which can be very disruptive for members of the public using these services.<br><br>โTo tackle metal thefts in Hull we have established positive links with the scrap metal dealers and are regularly speaking with them and sharing information about possible offenders. Offenders can therefore expect to be turned away from the scrap metal dealers and have their details given to the police if metal presented to them is believed to be stolen.<br><br>โThis incident highlights the excellent working relationship between the police and scrap dealers, and shows that this relationship can help in bringing offenders to justice.<br><br>โThe public also have a role to play in tackling metal theft by acting as our eyes and ears – reporting any offenders they know are committing offences in the city, or by reporting anything suspicious in their community to Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222.โ
And in North Lincolnshire police are asking for help from the local community to help bring the offenders to justice.
Offenders in North Lincolnshire are stealing metal from such places as commercial properties, churches, schools along with residental properties. The metal is often stolen in a dangerous way and thieves are really putting themselves in danger by trying to steal the property.
Cable theft is also on the increase with rural areas being targeted and leaving the local community without electricity for a number of days.
Superintendent for North Lincolnshire Chris Kelk said: "The theft of metal and cable is effecting a number of different areas across the whole of Humberside Police, not just North Lincolnshire.
"Across North Lincolnshire we have very recently experienced an increase in the number of reported incidents of metal theft and the theft of cables, which has a huge impact on the local community.
"I would like to ask members of the community to remain extremely vigilant and to please report any suspicious activity to police.
"We are establishing that the people who are committing these types of offences do not do so alone and they travel in vehicles, often vans. Police need as much information about the offenders as possible, i would ask people to try and get information such as the registration number of the vehicle, along with a description of the offender(s). We really want to bring these offenders to justice, and i believe with the help of the local community we can.
"Officers in North Lincolnshire are working closely with other divisions of Humberside Police, British Transport Police and other neighbouring force to help tackle this issue.
"The rise in the price of metal has meant that this type of offence has increased and the unfortunate thing is that until the price decreases rapidly, metal and cable theft will possibly continue to be an issue."
