Cashless Scrap Metal Trade - Amendment to Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964
Responsible department: Home Office
Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp rise in metal theft nationally. Metal fencing, gates, manhole covers and other metallic items are stolen on a regular basis. Property is raided for lead, copper and cabling. War memorials and statues have been taken. Overhead power lines are stolen at serious risk to personal safety with huge costs for replacement and major inconvenience to the public. Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash in hand industry. This creates difficulties as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.
UK scrap metal theft petition
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John Ashworth
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UK scrap metal theft petition
Railways and others in UK who suffer from theft of metal items have put a petition online here. At this moment around 5,400 people have signed.
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John Ashworth
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- Posts: 23606
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- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
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Re: UK scrap metal theft petition
Not directly railway-related, but all part of the same dynamic of copper theft:
BT taskforce tackles cable theft
BBC 26 August 2011 Last updated at 10:00
Copper theft is a growing problem for the communication network in Northern Ireland, BT has said.
In recent weeks, stolen cables have caused disruption to phone lines in south Tyrone and in Banbridge copper cable was cut at 16 junction boxes.
Also in the last few days cabling has been stolen from poles along a number of roads in Londonderry.
BT's head of security has travelled to NI to meet the PSNI to discuss the use of new technology to combat the crime.
"Copper is contained within our cables and has a value, however the amount within our cables is not significant," said Luke Beeson.
"It negatively affects everyone who relies on access to phones and broadband, disrupting local businesses and isolating vulnerable people."
BT have established a Metal Theft Taskforce which will work with police forces throughout the UK to try to tackle the thefts.
"We're doing a lot of work with the metal recycling industry and scrap metal dealers to try and choke the market for stolen metal," Mr Beeson said.
"It is a key priority to make sure ill-gotten gain cannot be sold."
The company will also be introducing SmartWater to its Northern Ireland infrastructure.
"It is a forensically traceable invisible liquid which we are applying to our cables so offenders are running the risk of being tagged with this solution which can link them back to the scene of the crime," said Mr Beeson.
The marking liquid is unique to a particular location.
It is used to mark the outer shell and inner core of BT cable, tools and other equipment. It will mean anyone who steals the cable will carry evidence on their skin and clothing
There have been three convictions for cable theft in the UK using this technology.
BT taskforce tackles cable theft
BBC 26 August 2011 Last updated at 10:00
Copper theft is a growing problem for the communication network in Northern Ireland, BT has said.
In recent weeks, stolen cables have caused disruption to phone lines in south Tyrone and in Banbridge copper cable was cut at 16 junction boxes.
Also in the last few days cabling has been stolen from poles along a number of roads in Londonderry.
BT's head of security has travelled to NI to meet the PSNI to discuss the use of new technology to combat the crime.
"Copper is contained within our cables and has a value, however the amount within our cables is not significant," said Luke Beeson.
"It negatively affects everyone who relies on access to phones and broadband, disrupting local businesses and isolating vulnerable people."
BT have established a Metal Theft Taskforce which will work with police forces throughout the UK to try to tackle the thefts.
"We're doing a lot of work with the metal recycling industry and scrap metal dealers to try and choke the market for stolen metal," Mr Beeson said.
"It is a key priority to make sure ill-gotten gain cannot be sold."
The company will also be introducing SmartWater to its Northern Ireland infrastructure.
"It is a forensically traceable invisible liquid which we are applying to our cables so offenders are running the risk of being tagged with this solution which can link them back to the scene of the crime," said Mr Beeson.
The marking liquid is unique to a particular location.
It is used to mark the outer shell and inner core of BT cable, tools and other equipment. It will mean anyone who steals the cable will carry evidence on their skin and clothing
There have been three convictions for cable theft in the UK using this technology.