LONDON, July 8: British police on Tuesday began a crackdown on metal thieves eager to cash in on the soaring price of such materials on the world markets by stealing lead off church roofs and even war memorial plaques.

Some 36 forces across the country began a two-day operation visiting scrap yards and metal dealers, tracking suspects and monitoring suspicious vehicles to cut the illegal trade that they say has grown by 150 per cent since 2006.

Environment Agency, customs and vehicle licensing officials are also helping to target the lucrative black market, which is thought to cost the economy nearly 360 million pounds ($711 million) a year.

British Transport Police (BTP) Assistant Chief Constable Paul Crowther said railway signalling cable, bronze statues, drain hole covers and even the metal from church and school roofs has been stolen.

“This is far from a victimless crime,” he said. “Thousands of people have seen their community facilities stolen or damaged by thieves looking for a quick gain, or have suffered service disruption to railways and telecoms.

“The problem ranges from opportunistic to large-scale organised theft.” The price of copper has almost doubled since the start of 2006 while aluminium prices have increased by nearly half in the same period, fuelled by global demand, led by emerging economic powerhouses China and India.

Recent examples of the crime in Britain include the theft of about 20 valuable bronze statues in just a few months in and around London in 2006, including a three-million-pound bronze Henry Moore sculpture. Municipal councils are also picking up the bill for replacements of drain covers and road signs; cars have been snatched from the streets for scrap; and four bronze plaques have even been stolen from a war memorial.

The BTP recorded 637 metal theft offences and arrested 153 people between January 1 and April 16 this year, including for theft of copper signal cable. In 2007, 396 people were arrested and 1,928 metal theft offences recorded.

Crowther said that by removing the market for stolen metals, theft becomes less attractive to organised criminals or opportunists.—AFP