Metal theft targeted by coppers

Published on Friday 29 July 2011 21:29

A CRACKDOWN on thieves has seen more than a dozen people arrested for stealing valuable metal and wiring, including manhole covers and roof copper.

Officers have targeted 16 people as part of the latest clampdown, Operation Adamant, which aims to cut lead and copper thefts across the Lothians.

In recent months, scrap metal crimes have reached an all-time high, with police saying buildings and machinery are being targeted "virtually every day".

Thieves have stolen several manhole covers from across the city, putting residents at risk of injury, and they are risking electrocution by ripping live copper wiring from streetlights.

The materials are then sold on to scrap metal dealers.

Thieves are also taking lead flashings and piping, heavy lifting equipment and machinery from roadwork sites, building sites and industrial estates.

Detective Inspector Phil Gachagan said tackling the thefts was a "priority" and that Lothian and Borders Police had increased patrols around vulnerable sites.

He said: "There is a high nuisance value and wider detrimental effects on businesses. It is too early to say what this has cost, but it is a major problem for us and other forces. Raw materials are in demand. Copper wire is very valuable and we believe they are going down manholes and stealing telecoms wires. Every now and then, we get a spate of stealing manhole and drain covers, there is money in that.

"The thefts are very widespread and we are affected almost on a daily basis. From a force perspective, it is becoming a priority for us."

He added: "We are asking people who own businesses and people working in metals be vigilant."

In recent months, areas across the Lothians have been hit. Less than two weeks ago, thieves caused more than 100,000 worth of damage at an Asda construction site in Loanhead when they stole scaffolding and copper wiring.

In June, a historic masonic lodge in Dalkeith suffered 100,000 worth of damage as lead was stripped from the roof.

Several churches have been badly damaged. In April, copper was stolen from the roofs of St John the Baptist's Roman Catholic Church in Corstorphine.

More than 40,000 worth of damage was caused in Midlothian when around 36 street lights were stripped of their copper.

In the past two weeks, police have carried out high-visibility patrols in areas where plant material is used and stored.

Community officers have also been on the look out for any suspicious activity around addresses furnished with valuable metal.