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Police show metal against scrap thieves in Leighton area
Scrapyards visited in one-day initiative.
POLICE in Beds and the Aylesbury Vale took part in a one day national initiative aimed at targeting metal thieves.
During the past six months there has been a marked rise in the number of thefts with railways, utilities substations, businesses, houses and even road grids and manhole-covers being targeted by criminals looking to sell them for scrap.
Beds Police's Chief Inspector Ivor Hall, said: "We targeted local scrap metal dealers to re-enforce the point that we take this area of crime very seriously. During the day we attended all scrap metal dealers in the county, looking for stolen metal and cable, and ensuring that all dealers had relevant licences in place."
Paul Crowther, Deputy Chief Constable of British Transport Police, who led the campaign said: " We estimate that metal theft costs UK businesses around 770million each year and metal and cable theft affects all types of industry in a variety of different ways.
"On the railway we have seen significant delays and cancellations as a result of thieves cutting and taking signalling and power cables from the side of the track."
Insp Emma Garside from Thames Valley Police, said: "Scrap dealers are our eyes and ears and are likely to be approached by thieves trying to sell stolen metal.
"We work very closely with the dealers and when they become suspicious about metal they are being offered and inform us, we can stop thieves in their tracks."
It is illegal for scrap dealers to buy stolen metal and many now display large posters on their premises informing anyone who would like to sell scrap that they need to provide identification, proof of owner ship and that the scrap yard will keep a written record of the transaction, which can be inspected by the police and council.
Anyone with information can contact Beds Police on 01234 841212, or text to 07786 200011 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Aylesbury Vale residents can call Thames Valley Police 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
