Industry puts pressure on to curb scrap thieves

The energy and transport industries want the Government to amend the 1964 Scrap Metal Dealers Act, so that dealers could no longer pay for scrap with cash. It is thought that changes in the law will be formally proposed next year.

Network Rail is especially plagued by 'scrap' metal thieves; since April there have been more than 300 thefts from the railway, which have cost Network Rail more than £5 million.

A Network Rail spokesman said that a combination of increasing metal prices and rising unemployment had contributed to a notable increase in metal thefts from the railway this year. The main target for thefts is copper cable, which is taken from the side of the track, including from live lines.

At the same time, the Association of Chief Police Officers is trying to set up a national taskforce to deal with the theft of scrap metal, which is increasing again after peaking last summer.

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