As a result of the incident, 38,505 kilograms of copper granules, estimated to be worth approximately £325,000, along with 1,714 kilograms of ferrous material recovered during sorting processes, valued at around £2,000, were stolen.
The total value of the materials is estimated at £327,000.
Nerijus Gecas, Director at Blancomet Recycling, commented: “The stolen materials represent an approximately significant part of the company’s annual net profit, resulting in severe financial damage.
“Their loss has significantly affected cash flow, profitability, and financial planning for the current year.”
Investigation by Staffordshire Police
According to a statement issued by Blancomet Recycling, it is believed that offenders gained access to the site overnight by breaching the perimeter fence before forcibly breaking both internal and external security gates.
CCTV footage reviewed by the company suggested the individuals involved were able to move materials from the site before fleeing in the early hours.
The company said it was observed that registration plates on vehicles involved in the offence were either missing or believed to be cloned or false.
The incident has been reported to Staffordshire Police and is being investigated under crime reference number 21260008947. Blancomet Recycling has request that anyone with information relating to this incident should contact the police, quoting the crime number.
Enquiries are ongoing, including analysis of CCTV footage, and the company said it is fully cooperating with officers.
Blancomet Recycling
Blancomet Group, which has been operating since 2009, collect and recycle non-ferrous scrap metal, e-waste, catalytic converts and batteries.
From its scrap metal collections, the company recycles copper cables, copper, brass, alloy wheels, lead and scrap motors.
Alongside its Staffordshire premise, the group owns a total of six recycling sites in the UK and Ireland.
Subscribe for free