‘Damaging’ increase in metal theft as prices soar
A “damaging and costly” rise in metal theft has hit businesses and people across Avon and Somerset.
Theft of metal including from railways, statues, church roofs, and cars is believed to cost the UK economy up to £1 billion each year.
Last year in Avon and Somerset alone, criminals stole metal on 588 occasions – the equivalent of 11 thefts each week.
That was an increase of 92% from 306 crimes in the year ending March 2021, and 32% higher than during the year before the coronavirus pandemic, when there were 444 offences. Some 59% of thefts of metal last year were targeted against Avon and Somerset’s infrastructure (348 crimes).
That means metal has been removed that directly impacts the functioning of infrastructure or the fabric of a building or machinery. That includes railway cabling, roofing lead, manhole covers, catalytic converters taken from a car, and any metals that are connected to live services such as water, heating, or electricity.
The rest of the thefts were of noninfrastructure-related metal, which could include metal gates and war memorial plaques.
Nationally there were 30,115 crimes of metal theft in England and Wales last year – which was the highest number of offences since just after the Scrap Metal Dealers Act was introduced in 2013.
The Act requires scrap metal dealers to verify the identity and publish the address of people they receive metal from. It also stops them from buying scrap metal for cash. During the year ending March 2014 – as the Act began to be enforced – there were 41,732 crimes of metal theft. But since then offences have been considerably lower.
However, last year, metal theft increased for the third consecutive year. Offending was also 58% higher than in the year ending March 2021 (19,044 offences) and 73% higher than the pre-pandemic year (17,446).
Councillor Nesil Caliskan, chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “While the Scrap Metal Dealers Act worked initially in contributing to a drop in metal theft rates when it came into force, rates have risen due to a range of factors, not least the significant increase in metal prices.
“Metal theft can affect a range of people and businesses and is extremely damaging and costly. Councils target their resources as efficiently as possible and do what they can to support businesses to meet the requirements of the legislation and can take enforcement action where issues are identified.
“Councils have limited powers to tackle unlicensed operators and the LGA is calling on the Government to update the Scrap Metal Dealers Act and introduce an offence of receiving cash for scrap metal and advertising ‘cash for scrap’ to act as a deterrent. Specific funding to support enforcement would also help local authorities and police take joint action to tackle this issue.”
Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for metal crime, said: “Global availability and supply chain issues have contributed to a resurgence of metal crime in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Construction and infrastructure have been in short supply and coupled with increases in metal prices, economic pressures have likely contributed to increased reporting of metal theft.
“The NPCC and industry partners recognise the significant impact metal crime has on national infrastructure and the UK economy.
“We will continue to work hard to tackle metal theft, linking in with the most vulnerable organisations and offering preventative measures and reacting quickly to reports.”