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METAL thefts virtually doubled in Hampshire final yr, figures present.
The AA mentioned steel theft – which incorporates the theft of beneficial automobile components – rises when family budgets are squeezed.
Workplace for Nationwide Statistics information reveals Hampshire Constabulary recorded 605 steel theft offences in 2021-22 – up considerably from 315 the yr earlier than.
Of the thefts final yr, 189 had been infrastructure-related, which incorporates the stripping of steel resembling roofing lead from buildings, taking electrical energy or railway cables, or stealing car components.
The remaining 416 had been non-infrastructure associated, which may contain stealing scrap steel or warfare memorial plaques.
It meant there have been the equal of three steel thefts per 10,000 individuals within the space final yr – up from 1.6 per 10,000 individuals the yr earlier than.
Throughout England and Wales, 30,100 steel theft offences had been recorded final yr – up from 19,000 a yr earlier, and the best quantity since 2013-14.
Virtually two-thirds of those had been associated to infrastructure – the best proportion since comparable data started in 2012-13.
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Charges of steel theft fell from 2012-13 – across the time the Scrap Steel Sellers Act, introduced in to crack down on the commerce in stolen steel, was launched.
Nevertheless, the Native Authorities Affiliation mentioned charges have since risen attributable to a number of elements, together with a major improve in steel costs.
Nesil Caliskan, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, mentioned: “Steel theft is extraordinarily damaging and dear and has the potential to have an effect on a spread of individuals and companies.
“Councils work onerous to help companies to fulfill the necessities of the related laws, concentrating on their sources as effectively as attainable, and may take enforcement motion the place points are recognized.”
The LGA is looking for the Authorities to introduce an offence throughout the Scrap Steel Sellers Act for receiving money for scrap steel, in addition to particular funding to help enforcement to assist native authorities.
Jack Cousens, head of roads coverage for the AA, mentioned: “When there’s a squeeze on family budgets, sadly crimes resembling steel and automobile half theft rise.
“The 2 most important causes are the regular value in scrap steel values and thieves promoting components on the black market.
“Whereas respected scrap retailers uphold and implement the foundations in terms of promoting steel, extra must be executed to sort out the yards keen to show a blind eye when an enormous supply is available in.”
The AA referred to as on the Authorities to recruit and prepare extra cops to discourage thieves from stealing components within the first place.
A House Workplace spokesman mentioned: “We recognise the influence that theft can have on victims and we wish offenders charged and delivered to justice within the courts.
“We’re giving police the sources they should preserve us protected, together with by recruiting 20,000 further cops and offering funding to the Nationwide Infrastructure Crime Discount Partnership which ensures the police and legislation enforcement companions work collectively to sort out steel theft.”
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