SCRAP metal dealers in Huddersfield were targeted as part of a special police blitz.

Officers visited scrapyards in Aspley and in Milnsbridge as part of a nationwide crackdown on metal thieves.

They were carrying out spot-checks on dealers in a bid to end a problem which is costing £¼m every month in West Yorkshire. The multi-agency operation was part of a national day of action on metal theft.

West Yorkshire Police has joined forces with other police forces and agencies to tackle the growing problem of metal theft across the region.

The problem, spurred on by an increased global demand which has pushed up scrap prices, costs the British economy an estimated £770m per year, with some thefts causing widespread disruption to transport and endangering lives.

Insp Steve Palmer said: “Metal thieves do some incredibly dangerous and stupid things.

“Ten people have died in metal theft incidents this year nationally. People have been severely burnt or killed stealing electrical cable and we have seen massive disruption to residents and to the rail network as a result of thefts.

“The thieves will literally take anything from lead on church roofs to memorial plaques and electric cabling.”