Thirteen arrests on day of action against metal and cable thieves

The South Yorkshire force has joined with scrap dealers and businesses which are regularly targeted by criminals to launch what it said was a "committed crackdown".

Railways and electricity substations are continually subject to theft, while churches are hit for roofing lead and council street signs and manhole covers also disappear.

Senior officers said thieves had even moved on to private houses in recent months, stealing metal gates and other objects which they then sell on for their scrap value.

Detectives yesterday said details of those arrested were not yet available, but added the specialist operation was staged in locations across South Yorkshire on Wednesday.

Senior officers said two people were arrested on suspicion of stealing 3,000 worth of copper cable during the clampdown, while one person was arrested for driving whilst disqualified and another was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Another man was arrested for theft of security gates, having no driving licence or insurance and for cultivating cannabis. Five cannabis plants and 2,000 in cash were also seized.

One person was arrested for metal theft and four others were arrested for the theft of 500 worth of copper cable.

Two people were arrested for theft of metal valued at approximately 100 and one person was arrested for theft of copper piping and an air conditioning unit valued at 2,000.

During the day six vehicles were seized, three warrants were issued for failing to pay fines and four fixed penalty notices were issued. Prohibition notices were served on 19 unroadworthy vehicles.

South Yorkshire Police's lead officer for metal theft Det Supt Bill Hotchikiss said: "The operation shows that criminals stealing metal and anyone who purchases stolen metal can expect to be arrested and face prosecution.

"The risks of stealing metal from dangerous locations such as railways, electricity substations and high buildings are not worth it. We recognise the impact this problem has on communities and local businesses and we are committed to bringing these offenders to justice.

"The force will continue to carry out operations like this and we will be increasing our patrols on major roads and around scrap metal dealers. Officers will be stopping vehicles suspected of carrying stolen metal."

This week's arrests follow a two-day operation which took place throughout the county in May which resulted in the recovery of 17 tonnes of suspected stolen metal valued in excess of 130,000.

Officers arrested eight people for metal theft and over 130 vehicles were stopped and checked, three were seized by police. Officers also reported 27 people to local councils for failing to have a licence to carry waste.

Copper wire was recovered from a scrap dealers in Mexborough which was discovered to contain traces of SmartWater. SmartWater is an invisible liquid containing a forensic signature that is painted on to valuable items.

Invisible to the naked eye, it shows up when held under ultraviolet light so that police can identify the rightful owner of any stolen property and return it. A police spokesman said the case was now under investigation.

Both operations were supported by South Yorkshire's local councils, BT, National Grid, Inland Revenue, VOSA, Environment Agency, SmartWater and the Department of Work and Pensions.