[holding answer 3 March 2008]: We are working closely with a range of stakeholders, other Government Departments and the police to develop a response to tackle these crimes.
I am aware that theft of metals is a growing concern which affects business, transport, communication and ecclesiastical properties.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has set up a working group, chaired by the British Transport Police and with Home Office representation. The group is developing an action plan to address the problem from national co-ordination to local responses to tackle metal thieves, including an examination of the effectiveness of current legislation relating to scrap metal recycling.
A national day of action was held at the end of January. In Cambridgeshire this resulted in several arrests in addition to checks being made on scrap metal dealers.