The problem of commercial metal theft

With commercial and residential metal thefts affecting businesses, homes and historical buildings in all parts of England and Wales, as evidenced by the latest ONS figures, here we take a closer look at what you can do to protect your property from becoming a criminal’s next payday.

Metal theft: a crime that’s costing the country

Back in 2012, the Association of Chief Police Officers estimated that metal theft costs the UK economy a staggering £770 million per year. Despite tightening laws in a bid to crackdown on the stolen metal trade, a decade on and metal theft incidents continue to cause financial hardship to thousands of property owners and businesses throughout Britain.

Figures released in January 2022 by the Office of National Statistics demonstrate just how grave the issue of metal theft has become regionally. The findings reveal that police forces in England and Wales alone, recorded over 19,000 incidents of metal theft in the year 2020-2021; the highest on record since 2014-15, and up from 17,400 the previous year.

One of the steepest rises took place in Dorset, where 465 metal theft offences were recorded; making it among the worst affected areas for metal theft in England. It was a similarly woeful picture in the county’s neighbour, Hampshire, where 315 reported incidents of metal theft caused heartache for businesses and homeowners during the same 12-month period.

Why are instances of metal theft increasing?

Financial gain 

Metal is a commodity that can see its value rise and fall with the economy - albeit some metals, such as copper cable, tending to perform consistently strongly.

Recently, we’ve seen a general increase in metal prices, and when something becomes more valuable it automatically becomes more profitable. This has added to the attractiveness of this type of crime, a problem the Local Government Association (LGA) has identified as being “extremely damaging and costly”.

Opportunity

Another factor fueling metal thefts is opportunity. Much of the metal being taken is easily accessible and unprotected, making it a prime target for thieves. For example, criminals are stealing metal from vacant properties and unoccupied buildings, of which there are more than ever, usually under the cover of nightfall. The figures account for both infrastructure-related thefts, such as leaded roofs, railway cables, manhole covers and vehicle parts, as well as non-infrastructure thefts, which include things like metal plaques and scrap metal.

The fact that many metal thieves evade justice too, part of which will be down to the ongoing reduction in police resources, only adds to the appeal of this increasingly common crime, spurring organisations like the LGA to appeal to the Home Office for tougher sanctions to be put in place to tackle the problem.

What is the Scrap Metal Dealers Act? 

One area action has been taken is in relation to scrap dealers, who are typically the end target for the stolen metal.

Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act. which came into effect in October 2013, every scrap metal dealer is now required to hold a licence, which is issued by the local authority. The licence requires certain standards are met, regarding record keeping and customer verification. Councils may revoke a licence at any time if they believe the dealer is no longer suitable to hold one.

Cash payments for scrap metal have also been banned since December 2012.

While the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was initially successful, rates are again on the rise, meaning it’s vital that organisations take the time to think about metal theft prevention, to stop themselves being seen as an easy target.

How can I protect my business from metal theft?

There is sadly no magic solution for preventing metal theft or other types of criminal activity being carried out on commercial premises. What you can do, is introduce layers of security that together combine to stop a criminal in their tracks, slow their progress, or deter them from even trying in the first place.

While we wait to see if more serious penalties for metal thefts will be introduced, there are many steps businesses can take to reduce their risk of being a victim.

1. Assess the threat

When facing any kind of security threat to your business, the first thing you must do is determine how much of a risk it poses to you. Metal theft is no exception to this rule. Take an inventory of the metal on your premises that could prove attractive to criminals.

Copper cabling, lead, aluminium, iron, stainless steel and other valuable metals are among the materials most commonly targeted in commercial metal thefts, as they fetch a high resale value in markets such as India and China, where the materials are in greater demand.

Remember to include not only metals affixed to buildings or the floor, but also those that aren’t grounded, such as metals within fleet vehicles, as well things like electrical wiring and air conditioners, which are known to contain copper coils.

2. Identify your security weak spots

The smartest criminals will do all they can to avoid getting caught, which means they’ll often scope out a target beforehand to determine its access points and security weak spots. 

Businesses with good, strategically placed infrared CCTV coverage that is actively monitored and responded to, is one popular measure to consider. Having a professional security presence on site (such as static guards or mobile security patrol officers), is another way to deter would-be criminals from targeting you.

Do a sweep of your environment to determine the weak spots where your business is most vulnerable to break-ins. Remember to think about things such as low-lighting, coverage provided by trees and hedges, gaps in fences, and unmonitored access points - all of which can assist a criminal to gain entry to your premises and commit metal theft without being seen.

3. Beef-up your security where needed

Introducing a range of security measures is one of the best defences your business has against crime and it’s an area worth investing in, even if metal theft isn’t a particular concern.

Criminals will steal anything they feel they can profit from, so if you store inventory on site or have a suite of computers in your office, you’re a target for a commercial break-in.

Some of the ways you can improve your on-site security include

• Installing a monitored alarm system which will be responded to quickly (at Venture our average response time is just 22 mins)
• Installing monitored CCTV cameras
• Employing a security guard or having mobile security teams visit the site out of hours at random times
• Controlling access by restricting the number of key holders and keep a close track on them
• Installing security lighting around buildings
• Maintaining perimeter fences and landscaped areas
• Putting bars or window locks on windows (at the very least, ground level ones)
• Make sure the basics are covered, for example, use anti-climb paint and don’t leave wheelie bins or ladders around that may help someone gain access to roofs.

Need expert security advice for your business?

At Venture, we deliver 24-hour security, 365 days a year, for commercial customers located within Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire, Surrey and Wiltshire. We can also assist with crime prevention advice, on-site security assessments and strategies, helping create a comprehensive suite of security measures tailored to your business’s unique risks and vulnerabilities.

To consult with one of our expert team about effective security for your business, or to arrange one-off security for an event you’re hosting, call us on 01264 391 538 or contact us outside of business hours using our online form.

You can also view examples here, of the services and support we provide for our customers, including: Stannah, Simplyhealth, The Commercial Centre and Salisbury Cathedral on our case studies page.