Metals theft crackdown leads to 16 arrests

Avon and Somerset Police have today (September 12) arrested 16 people in the first few hours of a major crackdown on metals theft across Bath, Bristol, Wells and rural parts of Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The day of action began at 11am with over 300 officers simultaneously entering and searching 50 scrap metal dealers as part of Operation Relentless, an initiative which aims to target both metals thieves and dealers who handle stolen material.

As of 1.30pm, 16 people had been arrested across nine locations with suspected stolen property seized including BT cable, copper pipes, transformers, manhole covers, metal gates and scaffolding towers. Police are still present at a number of scrap metal dealerships conducting methodical searches of the premises.

Support groups, sniffer dogs, financial investigators and officers from Police Headquarters have been assisting district officers in today’s searches. Officers from British Transport Police and BT’s investigation team are also supporting the operation.

Operation Relentless is part of a proactive approach to tackling metal theft, as well as working with scrap dealers to reduce the market in which thieves can operate.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, global increases in metal prices have made metal an increasingly attractive commodity for both opportunist thieves and organised crime groups. letsrecycle.coms pricing information shows copper fetching around 4,000 a tonne, while lead scrap is worth 900 a tonne.

The theft is estimated to cost the UK over 1 billion a year, affecting organisations ranging from national businesses and local authorities, to places of worship and community buildings.

Its impact on legitimate scrap dealers and metals recycling companies has long been highlighted by the British Metals Recycling Association. Last year the Association launched a code of practice in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers offering guidance for how metals recyclers can address the issue (see letsrecycle.com story).

Intrusive approach

Avon and Somerset Polices lead on metal theft, Inspector Ray Hulin, stressed that todays visits would not impact on legitimate dealers, but said the force would continue to take an intrusive approach to address the problem.

“Any legitimate scrap dealers we have visited today, who actively refuse to deal with stolen metal and who engage with local policing teams, have nothing to fear, he said. We hope that our action today reassures the public of the importance that the Constabulary places upon the theft of metal.

“We will continue to use an intrusive approach in dealing with the thieves and handlers who are making a lot of money at the cost and inconvenience of everyone else. Every tax payer has to pick up the bill for this criminality in some form or another.

“It isn’t just a financial impact that metal theft has on communities and individuals it can also put people’s lives at risk. Recently a BT cable was cut in Somerset resulting in the loss of phone and internet services to over 4000 homes and businesses; it also knocked out the Coastguard’s emergency communications capability for 12 hours.

Inspector Hulin added: “I want to send a clear and direct message to those involved in metal theft and those who handle stolen goods, we will not tolerate it and we will be relentless in bringing you to justice.”