As reports of metal thefts continue to rise across the country, Nottinghamshire has experienced a fall. In September there were 193 recorded metal thefts, compared to the 258 in August โรรฌ a 25 per cent reduction and a first since December 2010….
The drop is being attributed to Operation Metallica, a proactive collaborative approach by police and partners launched in July to reverse an astronomical rise in metal thefts in Nottinghamshire.
The trend for metal theft peaked at the beginning of the 2011/2012 financial year and is currently at a 47pc (520 more recorded crimes) increase compared to the this time last year.
Under Operation Metallica, a dedicated metal reduction team led by Detective Sergeant Rob Lloyd has been forged to research the problem and employ tactics to deter and disrupt criminal activity of this kind.
DS Lloyd said: โรรบMetal theft is considered low-risk by criminals, but high-gain in profit.
โรรบFor the victim though it is a low-gain experience. While the thieves are counting the money they make, they leave their law-abiding neighbours counting the cost of repairs.
โรรบAnd while some thieves appear to have the tools and skills to make cabling and piping safe before they steal it, often in great quantities, others are not so skilled.
โรรบThey risk their own lives and that of others by interfering with high voltages and gas.
โรรบOne metal thief dies each month in the UK as a result of their illegal endeavours.โรรน
The team is working across the force area with neighborhood police teams, Network Rail, BT, Western Power, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency, British Transport Police, the councils and other agencies to detect stolen metal and educate the more than 100 scrap metal dealers in Nottinghamshire on how to keep the correct records.
Most recently, the team has worked with Newark officers and made three arrests.
On Wednesday 28 September 2011 a lorry containing 500 stolen aluminum beer kegs was intercepted. The 35-year-old driver from a scrap metal yard in Newark was arrested for handling stolen goods.
