15
Mar
2013
By Calvin at 15:24 GMT, 13 years ago
Thanks to Thames Valley Police for bringing this news to my attention
New technology to deter metal thieves got the Home Office seal of approval on Wednesday 13 March. Lord Taylor of Holbeach visited the 150 year-old Northampton Guildhall today to see first-hand a new metal marking technique which allows the police to trace stolen metal.
Engineers from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining have engraved the Guildhall’s lead roof tiles with details of their owner and location so that if stolen, they can be checked by the police against a national database.
The scheme is designed to help clamp down on the estimated 1,000 metal thefts per week in the UK which cost the taxpayer around £220 million every year.
Minister for Criminal Information Lord Taylor of Holbeach said: “This innovative project will help ensure historic buildings like Northampton Guildhall are not targeted by metal thieves.
“This crime wreaks havoc on communities and new projects like this will help us win the war against metal thieves and preserve the UK’s best-loved landmarks.
“This government has introduced strict new rules to clamp down on this type of theft including banning dealers from trading in cash, increasing financial penalties and giving police new powers of entry to metal yards.'
Lord Taylor's visit comes just two weeks after the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill received Royal Assent. The Act, which comes into effect later on this year, will allow local authorities to suspend or revoke metal trader licenses where they suspect illegal activity.
TCPW Comment This is welcomed news for all buildings with a lead roof, gutters, rainwater pipes and so on. And who would have thought that we would return to a rather old technology of engraving. The strength in this marking system is its simplicity and the fact that the mark is clearly visible. It would take ages for a thief to cut out all the marked parts of the lead and frankly I’ll be surprised if any of this marked lead gets stolen. So well done to the Engineers from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining!
Previous news article on this site 30th 2012 http://thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/b/139/crime-prevention-news/2012/jul/30/the-scrap-metal-dealers-bill/
Source Home Office: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/metal-theft-technology
Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/10/enacted
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (Includes ITV News story: http://www.iom3.org/news/signature-materials-northampton
