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Greater than 200 metallic theft offences have been recorded in Lancashire final 12 months.
Workplace for Nationwide Statistics knowledge exhibits Lancashire Constabulary recorded 217 metallic theft offences in 2021-22 – although this was down from 227 the 12 months earlier than.
Of the thefts final 12 months, 67 have been infrastructure-related, which incorporates the stripping of metallic similar to roofing lead from buildings, taking electrical energy or railway cables, or stealing car elements.
The remaining 150 have been non-infrastructure associated, which may contain stealing scrap metallic or conflict memorial plaques.
That is equal to a price of 1.4 offences per 10,000 folks within the space – down from 1.5 per 10,000 folks the 12 months earlier than.
Throughout England and Wales, 30,100 metallic theft offences have been recorded final 12 months – up from 19,000 a 12 months earlier, and the best quantity since 2013-14.
Nearly two-thirds of those have been associated to infrastructure – the best proportion since comparable data started in 2012-13.
Charges of metallic theft fell from 2012-13 – across the time the Scrap Metallic Sellers Act was introduced in to crack down on the commerce in stolen metallic.
Nevertheless, the Native Authorities Affiliation (LGA) stated charges have since risen as a result of a number of components, together with a major improve in metallic costs.
Chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, Nesil Caliskan, stated: “Metallic theft is extraordinarily damaging and expensive and has the potential to have an effect on a variety of individuals and companies.
“Councils work arduous to assist companies to satisfy the necessities of the related laws, focusing on their sources as effectively as doable, and may take enforcement motion the place points are recognized.”
The LGA is asking for the Authorities to introduce an offence throughout the Scrap Metallic Sellers Act for receiving money for scrap metallic, in addition to particular funding to assist enforcement to assist native authorities.
The AA stated metallic theft – which incorporates the theft of invaluable automobile elements – rises when family budgets are squeezed.
Jack Cousens, head of roads coverage for the AA, stated: “When there’s a squeeze on family budgets, sadly crimes similar to metallic and automobile half theft rise.
“The 2 primary causes are the regular worth in scrap metallic values and thieves promoting elements on the black market.
“Whereas respected scrap retailers uphold and implement the principles in relation to promoting metallic, extra must be carried out to sort out the yards prepared to show a blind eye when an enormous supply is available in.”
The AA known as on the Authorities to recruit and prepare extra cops to discourage thieves from stealing elements within the first place.
A Dwelling Workplace spokesman stated: “We recognise the affect that theft can have on victims and we wish offenders charged and dropped at justice within the courts.
“We’re giving police the sources they should preserve us protected, together with by recruiting 20,000 additional cops and offering funding to the Nationwide Infrastructure Crime Discount Partnership which ensures the police and legislation enforcement companions work collectively to sort out metallic theft.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police stated: “Thieves like metals as a result of they’re simply recycled, and the cash-based nature of the scrap-metal business makes disposal simpler.
“Thieves will goal issues like lead and copper rainwater pipes, iron gates, manhole covers, catalytic converters from automobiles and agricultural automobiles, copper lightening conductors and metallic backyard ornaments.”
What are you able to do to guard your property?
- Don’t go away scrap metallic mendacity round, get rid of it instantly or retailer it securely
- Retailer ladders out of sight
- Take into account putting in safety lighting
- Use safety marking on metallic items
- Take into account a CCTV system
- Reduce tall bushes and vegetation
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