سرقات غامضة في بريطانيا

Welcome to BBC Xtra English.

Anna and Rasha talk about a rise in mysterious thefts in Britain.

What will thieves think of stealing next?

It seems that British thieves are now targeting very expensive cars.

They are not interested in the cars themselves, but a particular part of the engine.

They are taking platinum, a precious metal.

The thieves remove it from the catalytic converter, a part of the engine that reduces pollution.

The platinum is then sold at a high price.

Demand for metal is being boosted by rapid industrial growth in China, and its resale value is very high.

Lead is also being stolen from church roofs, and road signs and manhole covers sell well as scrap metal. Its value has increased by 50 percent in one year.

The rest of Europe has also been affected. Bronze plaques commemorating the war, and bridges have all been stolen.

In America, aluminium, copper, and brass, taken from the heating systems in empty houses, are rich pickings.

Copper wiring has been stolen from houses too, and up to 24 people have died whilst trying to steal wire still connected to the electricity system.

Experts predict that if the global economy worsens robbers will come up with other innovative schemes to steal scrap metal.

Can anything be done to stop this rise in the theft of metal? Let us have your suggestions.

هل يمكن فعل اي شئ لإيقاف هذه الزيادة في سرقة المعادن؟ اكتبوا لنا إقتراحاتكم و أفكاركم عن طريق الإستمارة أسفل الصفحة

أنقر هنا للاستماع للكلمات

thieves
لصوص

targeting
يستهدفون

platinum
معدن البلاتين

pollution
التلوث

rapid industrial growth
النمو الصناعي المتزايد و السريع

resale value
القيمة عند إعادة البيع

road signs
إشارات الطريق

scrap metal
الخردة

commemorating
إحتفالاً بذكري

rich pickings
أشياء و غنائم ثمينة ذات قيمة مرتفعة

electricity system
نظام الكهرباء

global economy
الإقتصاد العالمي

robbers
مجرمون

innovative
خلاق - مبتكر

Fouzy Eiad, Libya
heloo :) yeah we have such thieves here stea lplatinum from the post offices and sell it to the merchants and those merchants sell it to the assigned companies at high prices.

Mahmoud, Domyat, Egypt
i think the scientists have to innovate new security systems to protect the metal from thieves by using modern technology.

Khalil, Amman, Jordan
Hi BBC , to those thieves I want to send a message ; shame on you.

شروط وبنود الاستخدام