BMRA Urges Authorities to Take 'More Serious’ Actions to Thwart Scrap Metal Thefts

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has urged the home office and local authorities to be ‘more serious’ in dealing with the rising threat of scrap metal thefts. The call is in the wake of a report published earlier this year by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Metal, Stone and Heritage Crime.

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As per report, metal thefts across the country have cost approximately £4.3 billion to UK’s economy over the past decade. Also, stolen railway signalling or overhead cables, containing high-value copper has resulted in nearly 50 days of delay for commuters during the entire year 2022. The report further states that there are around 60 active Organised Crime Groups, which account for majority of metal theft crimes.

The report noted that theft of catalytic converters surged higher significantly by 170% from 10,049 in 2013 to 27,195 in 2023. Also, thefts involving lead recorded an increase by 8% over the ten-year period.

The Home Office and local authorities are seemingly completely disengaged with the issue, said James Kelly, CEO, BMRA. He called upon authorities to recognise the seriousness of the issue and requested urgent action to avoid further damages.

The BMRA extended support to the proposal by MPs to set up a working group to tackle the crime wave.