The region’s police forces have set up specialist investigation teams after recording a sharp rise in metal thefts in recent months.
Railways have been a particularly common target for metal thieves, and figures released today reveal that crimes on the network in Yorkshire and the North East have risen by more than 73 per cent.
But as patrols of railways have increased, officers say criminals have turned their attention to homes and gardens where metal items are kept on display.
Inspector Jason Booth, who leads neighbourhood policing teams in the Mosborough and Woodhouse areas of Sheffield, said: “I am noticing a big increase in thefts we wouldn’t ordinarily see.
“Garden furniture, barbecues, fridges, dishwashers and children’s trampolines are being stolen from gardens and these are staying under the radar because they are being classed as ‘other theft’, but they are all metal.
“It really frustrates me that people think they can just go on to somebody’s property and help themselves to it.”
West Yorkshire Police recorded more than 600 metal thefts in March alone. It said the total value of items reported stolen this year had already risen well above £1m.
Chief Superintendent Bill Hotchkiss, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “South Yorkshire has seen a 38 per cent increase in metal theft offences compared to the same period last year and this is a trend which is mirrored in our neighbouring forces and nationally.
“In January this year our figures were around 254 offences per month and they are now averaging around 450 offences.”
British Transport Police, which will target metal and cable thieves in a day of action today, said cases in Yorkshire and the North East rose by more than 73 per cent last year.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pacey said the problem was “one of the biggest challenges we face”.
“It represents a direct attack on people and communities who rely on rail travel to go about their daily business,” he added.
Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “It is essential we get to grips with this problem because cable thefts are becoming more and more numerous and audacious – for example, gangs of thieves have even dressed up as official workers to get access to sites so they can steal cable and equipment.
“Stealing railway cable is selfish and dangerous.”
The trend has followed a sharp increase in metal prices internationally. The price of copper rose from a low of just below £3,000 per tonne in late 2008 to a peak of about £10,000 per tonne earlier this year.
The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that repairing buildings and replacing grate covers following raids by metal thieves had cost Yorkshire councils at least £2.3m in five years.
Police have worked with councils, fire crews, the Environment Agency, the Inland Revenue, utility companies and traders in an attempt to tackle the problem.
Operations in North Yorkshire have included ensuring all scrap metal dealers in Scarborough have a dedicated police officer with whom to liaise.
Similar campaigns have been organised by West Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police.
(Reproduced from The Yorkshire Post, 30th July 2011)
Gardien Tip: Put away all those things which can be safelystored and use relatively cheap alarms to protect higher value items. See http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-alarms.aspx
Railways have been a particularly common target for metal thieves, and figures released today reveal that crimes on the network in Yorkshire and the North East have risen by more than 73 per cent.
But as patrols of railways have increased, officers say criminals have turned their attention to homes and gardens where metal items are kept on display.
Inspector Jason Booth, who leads neighbourhood policing teams in the Mosborough and Woodhouse areas of Sheffield, said: “I am noticing a big increase in thefts we wouldn’t ordinarily see.
“Garden furniture, barbecues, fridges, dishwashers and children’s trampolines are being stolen from gardens and these are staying under the radar because they are being classed as ‘other theft’, but they are all metal.
“It really frustrates me that people think they can just go on to somebody’s property and help themselves to it.”
West Yorkshire Police recorded more than 600 metal thefts in March alone. It said the total value of items reported stolen this year had already risen well above £1m.
Chief Superintendent Bill Hotchkiss, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “South Yorkshire has seen a 38 per cent increase in metal theft offences compared to the same period last year and this is a trend which is mirrored in our neighbouring forces and nationally.
“In January this year our figures were around 254 offences per month and they are now averaging around 450 offences.”
British Transport Police, which will target metal and cable thieves in a day of action today, said cases in Yorkshire and the North East rose by more than 73 per cent last year.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pacey said the problem was “one of the biggest challenges we face”.
“It represents a direct attack on people and communities who rely on rail travel to go about their daily business,” he added.
Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “It is essential we get to grips with this problem because cable thefts are becoming more and more numerous and audacious – for example, gangs of thieves have even dressed up as official workers to get access to sites so they can steal cable and equipment.
“Stealing railway cable is selfish and dangerous.”
The trend has followed a sharp increase in metal prices internationally. The price of copper rose from a low of just below £3,000 per tonne in late 2008 to a peak of about £10,000 per tonne earlier this year.
The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that repairing buildings and replacing grate covers following raids by metal thieves had cost Yorkshire councils at least £2.3m in five years.
Police have worked with councils, fire crews, the Environment Agency, the Inland Revenue, utility companies and traders in an attempt to tackle the problem.
Operations in North Yorkshire have included ensuring all scrap metal dealers in Scarborough have a dedicated police officer with whom to liaise.
Similar campaigns have been organised by West Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police.
(Reproduced from The Yorkshire Post, 30th July 2011)
Gardien Tip: Put away all those things which can be safelystored and use relatively cheap alarms to protect higher value items. See http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-alarms.aspx
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