Police plea for help in catching metal thieves
Monday, 28th February 2011.
An increase in metal thefts has led police in Haverhill to make a plea for help from the public to catch the thieves.
The price of all sorts of metal is sky-high at present and has led to thefts of copper piping, lead flashing, tools and even bicycles.
Homes, businesses and factories are all being targeted and the crimes are happening across East Anglia, not just in and around Haverhill.
PC Rupert Beynon from Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team said they needed people to keep their eyes open for the thieves.
"We would like to encourage members of the public to be vigilant about suspicious vehicles," he said. "If anyone is just sitting in a vehicle and watching somewhere suspiciously, please let us know straightaway.
"Often that sort of information might reach us via a Neighbourhood Watch meeting a week later, when it's too late to do anything about it.
"We want people to have the confidence to ring us so we can react when they are still there."
The number to ring if you see anything suspicious is 01473 6135000.
"We need people to report the incident," said PC Beynon, "and, if possible note the registration number, the type of vehicle and, if it has moved off, the direction of travel."
Vehicles such as vans and trucks are likely to be used for such thefts as the metal is heavy.
People have also been caught be thieves going around and asking if they have any scrap metal they want to get rid of. The law requires anyone who disposes of scrap metal for you to have a waste carrier's licence.
The price of all sorts of metal is sky-high at present and has led to thefts of copper piping, lead flashing, tools and even bicycles.
Homes, businesses and factories are all being targeted and the crimes are happening across East Anglia, not just in and around Haverhill.
PC Rupert Beynon from Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team said they needed people to keep their eyes open for the thieves.
"We would like to encourage members of the public to be vigilant about suspicious vehicles," he said. "If anyone is just sitting in a vehicle and watching somewhere suspiciously, please let us know straightaway.
"Often that sort of information might reach us via a Neighbourhood Watch meeting a week later, when it's too late to do anything about it.
"We want people to have the confidence to ring us so we can react when they are still there."
The number to ring if you see anything suspicious is 01473 6135000.
"We need people to report the incident," said PC Beynon, "and, if possible note the registration number, the type of vehicle and, if it has moved off, the direction of travel."
Vehicles such as vans and trucks are likely to be used for such thefts as the metal is heavy.
People have also been caught be thieves going around and asking if they have any scrap metal they want to get rid of. The law requires anyone who disposes of scrap metal for you to have a waste carrier's licence.
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