Crackdown on East Lancashire metal thieves

11:50am Tuesday 8th July 2008

Comments (5)   Have your say »

SCRAP metal thieves are being targeted by police in a massive crackdown.

Scrapyards and suspected transporters of metal are being targeted in the two-day operation, which began today.

Theft of metal has risen by 150 per cent in the last two years nationally after demand from emerging countries such as China and India caused prices to rocket.

In East Lancashire it has been a particular problem:

* Copper wiring has been stolen from the Royal Blackburn Hospital causing power failures.

* In Darwen thieves stole a 12ft gate, a 20ft car park barrier pole and a cattle grid.

* In Colne businesses and schools have been targeted with scrap metal raiders stealing lead from their roofs. Flashing and water-proofing has also been taken.

* In one of the most audacious incidents a gang of thieves diced with death by cutting down poles carrying 11,000-volt electricity cables in the hunt for scrap metal near Pendle Water in Brierfield.

* And today, the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that lead was stolen from a church roof in Burnley after parishioners raised money to pay for it.

Now police are starting a crackdown by targeting the scrap metal dealers and encouraging them to report suspected stolen goods.

The Association of Chief Police Officers’ says metal theft is not a victimless crime.

A spokesman said drain covers, lead from church roofs and railway signal cables are some of the thieves’ most common targets.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Crowther of British Transport Police said: “Thousands of people have seen their community facilities stolen or damaged by thieves looking for a quick gain, or have suffered service disruption to railways and telecoms.

”The problem ranges from opportunistic to large-scale organised theft.

"This has a huge impact across the country, not just financially, but in people’s everyday lives.

”By removing the market for stolen metals, the theft becomes much less attractive and so we are encouraging scrap metal dealers to be particularly vigilant in reporting to police if they suspect metals have been stolen.”

Sgt Andy Cartwright, of Colne Police, said the problem has been growing in recent years.

He said: “There have been a number of places targeted which are quiet, or empty, at the weekends.

“We would urge people to call police if they see any suspicious characters on the roof of commercial premises."

County Coun Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “I am amazed that anyone has the brass neck to go out and brazenly steal public property in this way.

“The problem is that members of the public presume it’s all above board.

"While we are out to replacing the covers at great expense, the culprits will be at a scrap yard.

"This sort of crime creates a major safety hazard and cost to the taxpayer.”