News & Views
Fightback against metal theft
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riven by the insatiable appetite for base metals in China until 2008, and then the timid resurgence of western economics in the US and Europe, the price of base metals like copper has steadily increased as global demand continues to outstrip supply. The metal recycling industry is worth roughly £5.6 bn annually and employs just under 8,600 people in the UK. However, this dramatic price rise has created an underground economy which is costing the UK up to £220 million a year in loss and damages. The Coalition government has displayed conviction when dealing with the problem of metal theft. The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill received Royal Assent in February 2013. The new laws mean that an enhanced application process for a scrap dealer's license is to come into operation. Anyone selling scrap metal to a dealer must provide identification at the point of sale which is then recorded and retained by the dealer in question. Dealing in cash could also result in heavy penalties as magistrates are allowed to impose unlimited fines on offenders. There have been a number of cases of metal theft that have captured the imagination of the public and have therefore created some headlines. Early April saw the closure of Puddlers Bridge in Merthyr Tydfil because of an attempted theft of metal worth just £20. The total cost of the clean up and repair operation was estimated to reach £12,000. This is a dramatic example of the social and financial disruptions this sort of crime can create. There has been some significant results in the efforts of the government and law enforcement agencies to tackle the problem of metal theft,
specifically on the railways. The total delays caused by metal theft fell by more than 50% in the year up to March 2013 from 6,000 hours in 2011 down to 2,700 hours.
This success has been attributed to the new legislation designed to tackle the expensive problem of metal theft. Transport minister, Norman Baker, said: “The coalition government is strongly committed to tackling metal theft and it is heartening to see that the decisive action that has been taken is now paying off with some major reductions in this kind of crime.” The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill (2013) is certainly having a positive effect. However David Myers, Regional Managing Director – South for ADT Fire and Security says businesses must still be vigilant: “The onus is still on businesses to take steps in effective and robust security measures to stop their premises becoming a potential target for metal theft.” David suggests implementing a total security strategy that combines trained security guards, biometric access control, Automatic Number Plate Recognition access technology and substantial investment in a CCTV system:
GSL Dardan Ltd Registered Office Brooke House, John Hyrne Way Longwater Business Park Norwich NR5 0AF t f
Norwich Peterborough Ipswich Cambridge Gt Yarmouth Lowestoft Aberdeen Kings Lynn Leiston e
“Metal theft can have a vast degree of repercussions for both businesses and members of the public. It is a threat that should therefore not go unnoticed, and by applying the security approaches outlined, businesses, regardless of size, can proactively reduce the chance of becoming the next victim.”
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Issue 50 - May 2013