Police clamp down on metal thefts

It is thought signs are being recycled as scrap metal

Police in Norfolk have begun a special operation to clamp down on the increased number of metal thefts.

Large quantities of copper, lead, aluminium and stainless steel have been stolen from compounds during 2007.

Crime statistics show there has been a 49% increase over six months with 41 metal thefts recorded in January, increasing to 81 in May.

Police made checks at three Norfolk scrap yards to ensure the documentation for accepting scrap was correct.

More visits, which are being run in conjunction with organisations including the Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive, were also being planned.

Risking prosecution

Machinery at one of the yards visited was temporarily closed off over health and safety concerns, while 60 vehicles being used by customers were stopped with a number found with defects which led to prohibition orders being served.

Police believe the thefts have increased because of a sharp rise in the price of scrap metals.

The thefts have seen copper stripped from the domed towers of the Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth, lead taken from church roofs, road signs and electricity cables stolen from power distribution firm EDF Energy.

Det Insp Matt Dyson said: "It is a crime that won't be tolerated in Norfolk and is treated very seriously.

"Our message to people involved in stealing these items or knowingly involved in disposal of such items is that you will be prosecuted when you are caught and that this problem is subject to an ongoing police focus."