‘Thwart metal thieves’ video on internet

May 9 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

POLICE officers in West Yorkshire are on their “metal” against thieves who are blighting the region.

Now they are urging members of the public to help stem the current trends of metal thefts.

To get across the message, Kirklees Crime Reduction Officer, Pc Roger Day has released a video on YouTube offering advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.

In the video, he asks neighbours to work together to frustrate the criminals.

Pc Day believes there are simple measures which can be taken:

Inform your neighbours to keep eye on your property. If you see someone who you believe shouldn’t be there, report them to the police.

Mark your property with stencils and road paint, indent metal with postcodes or use UV identifiers to deter thieves.

Mark the metal in anti-scaling paint, in particular lead, as this interferes with the smelting process and makes the lead undesirable to dealers.

Motion censors on roofs and CCTV can also be a good deterrent.

Pc Day added: “Working together in initiatives such as this will put pressure on those who are taking the metal in the first place and also on unscrupulous scrap metal dealers.

“A lot of work has already been done to combat the problem which has involved speaking to scrap metal dealers, checking records and looking at their books.

“We do, however, also need the help of the public. The public need to be the eyes and ears of the police. If you see something suspicious, please report it via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Church leaders have called a seminar to discuss metal thefts at church buildings.

It is being held on Wednesday June 11 at 7.30pm at Dewsbury Minster with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group.

More details from Rita Peacock at Church House on 01924 234 945 or email: rita.peacock@wakefield.anglican.org