30 held in metal theft raids

MORE than 30 people have been arrested in Rotherham this week as part of a crackdown on metal thefts.

MORE than 30 people have arrested in Rotherham this week as part of a crackdown on metal thefts.

Police from across Rotherham, along with the British Transport Police, HM Revenue and

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Customs and the Environment Agency this week recovered nearly £25,000-worth of stolen goods in raids on dozens of local scrapyards.

Among the materials seized were:

  • 33,000-volt industrial cable casing from Kimberworth plus more with BT, YEDL and Network Rail markings. A 39-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of theft.
  • £700 of gold which had been taken in a town centre robbery.
  • Stolen lead, beer kegs and a Nissan Qashqai car.

All the metal recovered will be sold, with the money going to charity.

Thefts of copper have been rocketing due to the soaring price of the metal on the world market.

Copper’s value was under £3,000 a ton just over a year ago. It peaked at £6,000 in February and is expected to top £7,000 by 2012 because of demand from China.

If this were done by an organised gang, it would be called terrorism . . . Read Gareth Dennison's report on the thieves who are putting lives in danger. SEE THIS WEEK’S ADVERTISER