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Dramatic drop in copper cable theft across the UK | Dramatic drop in copper cable theft across the UK |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News | By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News |
Co-ordinated action and sophisticated prevention measures have been credited with aiding a massive drop in copper cable theft in the UK. | Co-ordinated action and sophisticated prevention measures have been credited with aiding a massive drop in copper cable theft in the UK. |
BT said a 50% drop in incidents had lead to a 24% reduction in faults. | BT said a 50% drop in incidents had lead to a 24% reduction in faults. |
The British Transport Police (BTP), which launched Operation Tornado last year to deter criminals, said it had noted a 51% drop year-on-year. | The British Transport Police (BTP), which launched Operation Tornado last year to deter criminals, said it had noted a 51% drop year-on-year. |
The industry is pressing for new legislation to make it tougher to profit from the crime. | The industry is pressing for new legislation to make it tougher to profit from the crime. |
The proposed Scrap Metal Dealers Bill would tighten controls on how freely metals such as copper can be traded. | The proposed Scrap Metal Dealers Bill would tighten controls on how freely metals such as copper can be traded. |
'Still a problem' | 'Still a problem' |
Copper cable theft is estimated to cost the British economy £1bn a year. | Copper cable theft is estimated to cost the British economy £1bn a year. |
In efforts to curb its illegal trade, many scrap metal dealers have signed up to voluntary measures as part of Operation Tornado - which has pushed for the requirement of photo ID from someone selling metal. | In efforts to curb its illegal trade, many scrap metal dealers have signed up to voluntary measures as part of Operation Tornado - which has pushed for the requirement of photo ID from someone selling metal. |
Other measures included halting cash-in-hand payments for trades. | Other measures included halting cash-in-hand payments for trades. |
But a lot of work still needed to be done, a spokesman for the BTP told the BBC. | But a lot of work still needed to be done, a spokesman for the BTP told the BBC. |
"We've had a 51% drop, but that's against a backdrop of record highs," said Glyn Hellam. | "We've had a 51% drop, but that's against a backdrop of record highs," said Glyn Hellam. |
"There is clearly still a problem." | "There is clearly still a problem." |
He said that in 2011, they had noted 2,627 railways-related copper thefts - but 2012 brought a massive decrease, with 1,284 being logged. | He said that in 2011, they had noted 2,627 railways-related copper thefts - but 2012 brought a massive decrease, with 1,284 being logged. |
That figure brings it in line with "normal" levels seen around 2009. | That figure brings it in line with "normal" levels seen around 2009. |
Last year's efforts focused on the north-east of England, where the majority of thefts took place. In these areas, the BTP saw a 60-70% reduction. | Last year's efforts focused on the north-east of England, where the majority of thefts took place. In these areas, the BTP saw a 60-70% reduction. |
Panic buttons | Panic buttons |
For BT, cable theft can leave customers without internet access or landline connections. Also affected are the emergency services, and life-critical services like panic buttons in the homes of the elderly. | For BT, cable theft can leave customers without internet access or landline connections. Also affected are the emergency services, and life-critical services like panic buttons in the homes of the elderly. |
The company warned that although the figures were encouraging, complacency should not be allowed to set in. | The company warned that although the figures were encouraging, complacency should not be allowed to set in. |
"Cable theft figures fluctuate hugely and can be affected by weather and access to the network," said Simon Davies, BT's general manager dealing with cable theft. | "Cable theft figures fluctuate hugely and can be affected by weather and access to the network," said Simon Davies, BT's general manager dealing with cable theft. |
"While we have many effective security measures, cable theft is still a problem that we deal with on a regular basis and we continue to work closely with the police to tackle cable theft." | |
The company has put in special measures to deter criminals - including SmartWater, a system which sprays thieves with an invisible solution. | The company has put in special measures to deter criminals - including SmartWater, a system which sprays thieves with an invisible solution. |
Another system, known as Rabit, is able to pinpoint precise locations where a cable theft may be taking place. | Another system, known as Rabit, is able to pinpoint precise locations where a cable theft may be taking place. |
"We're able to say there's a cable cut in an exact address in the UK," explained BT spokesman Ian Read. | "We're able to say there's a cable cut in an exact address in the UK," explained BT spokesman Ian Read. |
"The police go along - and they've been known to catch thieves at work." | "The police go along - and they've been known to catch thieves at work." |
He added that a BT partnership with Crimestoppers meant rewards of up to £1,000 were being offered for help in catching cable thieves. | He added that a BT partnership with Crimestoppers meant rewards of up to £1,000 were being offered for help in catching cable thieves. |