BMRA Raised Red Flag Over Surging Scrap Metal Thefts

Metal thefts can have huge impact on communities, warned the association.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The British Metal Recycling Association (BMRA) has raised a red flag over rising incidents of scrap metal offences, citing Home Office figures. The association attributed the rise in offences to surging scrap metal prices and aggravating economic difficulties. Metal thefts can have huge impact on communities, warned the association.

The Nottinghamshire Police recorded 214 metal theft incidents in the twelve-month period until March this year. This is significantly higher by 30.5% from 164 incidents recorded during the same period a year before. The BMRA is of the view that actual numbers may be even more.

Out of 214 thefts, non-infrastructure-related thefts accounted for 178. The remaining 36 incidents were infrastructure-related, such as roofing lead from buildings, electricity or railway cables and stealing of vehicle parts. The type of theft has shifted from low-value, low-volume theft to high-value, high-volume theft, said Antonia Grey, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, BMRA.

The areas covered by Nottingham Police recorded a theft rate of 1.9 per 10,000 people. This is much lower than the rate of 4.9 in England and Wales.

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