A week-long operation aimed at thwarting the rise of metal thefts is under way.

Bradford has been blighted by the problem in recent months.

In Saltaire 28 iron cellar grates from homes and businesses were ripped out in three days last week.

And roofs have been plundered at the Roberts Park manager’s lodge and Saltaire United Reformed Church.

The theft of metal costs an estimated £770 million each year nationally.

A new partnership between West Yorkshire Police and the Environment Agency has been set up to tackle the problem.

Copper, lead, iron, steel, aluminium and platinum are all targeted by thieves with most stolen metal sold on to unscrupulous metal dealers for scrap prices and melted down.

Neighbourhood policing teams and Environment Agency officers are working with scrap dealers to ensure they are complying with trading laws and to help identify potential thieves.

Superintendent Ged McManus, of West Yorkshire Police’s Local Policing Department, said: “Working with the Environment Agency is enabling us to boost the powers we have to tackle the growing problem of metal thefts.

“Metals are disposed of through scrap metal dealers, of which many are legitimate; however there are a number of unlicensed dealers. They often work out of lock-ups and garages and this is where we can work with the Environment Agency to put them out of business.

Anyone with any information about unlicensed scrap dealers or about metal thefts should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Read the full story in Wednesday's T&A