Police in England are setting up a nationwide task force to tackle what they say is an "explosion" in thefts of metal which is then sold on as scrap.
Police in England are setting up a nationwide task force to tackle what they say is an "explosion" in thefts of metal which is then sold on as scrap.
School roofs, statues and power lines have all been targeted as millions of pounds worth of metal has been stolen.
School roofs, statues and power lines have all been targeted as millions of pounds worth of metal has been stolen.
British Transport Police, which is leading the task force, said the theft of rail signalling copper had become its biggest problem after terrorism.
British Transport Police, which is leading the task force, said the theft of rail signalling copper had become its biggest problem after terrorism.
Police believe the demand for metal in India and China is forcing prices up.
Police believe the demand for metal in India and China is forcing prices up.
Copper is now worth £4,000 a tonne, twice as much as two years ago.
Copper is now worth £4,000 a tonne, twice as much as two years ago.
BBC Breakfast has obtained figures which show that in Cambridgeshire metal theft is up 170% in a year, in West Mercia 120%, in the West Midlands 112% and 100% in Warwickshire and Sussex.
BBC Breakfast has obtained figures which show that in Cambridgeshire metal theft is up 170% in a year, in West Mercia 120%, in the West Midlands 112% and 100% in Warwickshire and Sussex.
If you take some of this stolen material you will face the full force of the law Det Ch Con Paul Crowther
If you take some of this stolen material you will face the full force of the law Det Ch Con Paul Crowther
New hi-tech marking systems mean it is easier for police to identify stolen metals and cables and hundreds of arrests are being made every week, but thefts are continuing to rise.
New hi-tech marking systems mean it is easier for police to identify stolen metals and cables and hundreds of arrests are being made every week, but thefts are continuing to rise.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther, of British Transport Police, said "huge money" and "huge disruption" were involved in the theft and sale of scrap metal.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther, of British Transport Police, said "huge money" and "huge disruption" were involved in the theft and sale of scrap metal.
'No questions'
'No questions'
"We have seen an explosion in the number of crimes that have taken place," he said.
"We have seen an explosion in the number of crimes that have taken place," he said.
"It ranges from the opportunist theft of a few hundred metres of cable to serious large-scale criminality.
"It ranges from the opportunist theft of a few hundred metres of cable to serious large-scale criminality.
"There is only one outlet for this metal to go and we are working with scrap metal dealers and warning them not to accept this stolen property."
"There is only one outlet for this metal to go and we are working with scrap metal dealers and warning them not to accept this stolen property."
He warned anyone found to have accepted such material would "face the full force of the law".
He warned anyone found to have accepted such material would "face the full force of the law".
Britain is the fifth biggest exporter of scrap metal in the world and the metal recycling industry insists it is doing everything it can to prevent stolen metals passing through its sites.
Britain is the fifth biggest exporter of scrap metal in the world and the metal recycling industry insists it is doing everything it can to prevent stolen metals passing through its sites.
Lindsay Millington, director general of the British Metals Recycling Association, said: "We take details from everyone when they bring metal in, but what is certain is that around the corner there is another yard operating, which is not a member of our regulatory system, where no questions are asked."
Lindsay Millington, director general of the British Metals Recycling Association, said: "We take details from everyone when they bring metal in, but what is certain is that around the corner there is another yard operating, which is not a member of our regulatory system, where no questions are asked."
Other areas affected by metal thefts include Norfolk, which began an operation to clamp down on the crime last month after large quantities of copper, lead, aluminium and stainless steel were stolen from compounds in recent months.
Other areas affected by metal thefts include Norfolk, which began an operation to clamp down on the crime last month after large quantities of copper, lead, aluminium and stainless steel were stolen from compounds in recent months.
Live mains cut
Live mains cut
In Cambridgeshire, police say thefts are costing the county £500,000 a month and they are to work with scrap metal dealers and local utility companies, which are often hardest hit, to try to identify those responsible.
In Cambridgeshire, police say thefts are costing the county £500,000 a month and they are to work with scrap metal dealers and local utility companies, which are often hardest hit, to try to identify those responsible.
Last week at Upwood Primary School, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, thieves stripped a huge section of the copper roof overnight, leaving three classrooms unusable and the school with a £30,000 repair bill.
Last week at Upwood Primary School, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, thieves stripped a huge section of the copper roof overnight, leaving three classrooms unusable and the school with a £30,000 repair bill.
School governor Fiona Hopkins said "everyone is stunned, it's a total logistical and financial nightmare".
School governor Fiona Hopkins said "everyone is stunned, it's a total logistical and financial nightmare".
In other cases, a bronze statue of former Olympic champion Steve Ovett disappeared in Brighton and church bells in Devon were silenced by thieves.
In other cases, a bronze statue of former Olympic champion Steve Ovett disappeared in Brighton and church bells in Devon were silenced by thieves.
Across the country, drain covers have been stolen and police say in some cases thieves have cut through live electricity and gas mains to steal metal.
Across the country, drain covers have been stolen and police say in some cases thieves have cut through live electricity and gas mains to steal metal.
Have you been affected by this kind of metal theft? Send us your comments using the form below.
