Crackdown on metal thieves as man jailed

POLICE have pledged to crack down on metal thieves operating in the Lothians following the jailing of a man who stole copper cable worth £8000 from an industrial estate.

Officers welcomed the sentence handed down to Sean Merchant, from Doncaster, on Tuesday following the theft of the metal from the Houston Industrial Estate in Livingston.

The 43-year-old was given a 30-month sentence after stealing copper cable from the British Telecom premises at the site on March 7.

A police spokesman said: "This sentence shows the theft of metal will not be tolerated by Lothian and Borders Police.

"Our robust investigation, which has been supported with a custodial sentence from the Crown, and the ongoing Business Watch scheme should act as a deterrent to anyone involved in this kind of activity.

"Furthermore, we would ask anyone with any concerns or information about this kind of crime to contact police as a matter of urgency."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0131-311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.