Metal and copper theft....

The Insurance Times wrote:The rising number of metal theft claims has put 2010 on course to be the second worst year for metal theft on record, according to Ecclesiastical.
The insurer said that during the first five months of 2010 the company received a total of 722 theft of metal claims worth more than £1.6m.
In a statement, Ecclesiastical said: "Although lead stolen from churches still makes up the majority of theft of metal claims, a significant increase is now emerging in non-faith claims. With nearly 20% of the total metal theft claims now being recorded for non-faith customers - such as schools, heritage buildings and other commercial properties - the insurer is warning that a number of sectors will need to improve their security measures to fight the epidemic."
The highest number of metal theft claims was recorded in 2008 when, during the first five months of the year, 1,382 claims worth more than £4.2m were received by Ecclesiastical.
Commenting on the figures and the spread of the theft epidemic, David Bonehill, claims and risk services director at Ecclesiastical, said: “This is clearly a very worrying trend. Based on what we are seeing, around four theft of metal incidents take place every day among our customers and this is four incidents too many.
“We see no sign of claims reducing and if this trend continues, 2010 could be the second highest year on record for metal theft.
“There is a direct correlation between the value of these metals on world markets and the number of claims received. This year, metal prices have risen sharply due to the impact of demand driven by a number of earthquakes and other natural disasters that have had an effect on the world economy. That’s triggered a sharp increase in metal thefts in the UK as thieves target churches, schools and other commercial and residential properties.
“Insurance isn’t the only industry battling with the issue however. This is a huge issue facing the whole of the UK with utilities and transport sectors having been hit as hard by this crime and needing to take measures to protect their property and services. Ecclesiastical is very closely involved in the work of various cross-industry groups and organisations tackling the issue on a higher strategic and national level.”

BBC News wrote:A new law targeting trade in stolen metal has come into force.

All scrap dealers and motor salvage operators in England and Wales must now apply for a licence from their local authority and keep records on who they buy from.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 is aimed at thefts which have blighted the rail and power industries and seen churches targeted.

The act also extends a ban on cash payments to mobile collectors.

Trade body the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has welcomed the changes.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) set up a working group on metal thefts after estimating the illegal trade was costing the UK economy £770 million a year - it says such thefts are now falling.

Paul Crowther, deputy chief constable of British Transport Police and national lead on metal theft for ACPO, said: "We've all heard the stories about the impact on communities, businesses and individuals, and these new regulations and powers really provide us with the tools to crack down on metal theft.

"The problem has always been that people who turn up at a scrap metal yard are virtually untraceable once they trade the metal."

Councils will assess whether each licence applicant is a "suitable person" - including examining criminal convictions - and will have more powers to carry out inspections.

Dealers who have not registered by 1 December face prosecution with fines of up to £1,000, limits on trading hours and the possibility of being shut down.

BMRA director general Ian Hetherington described the new act as "a watershed moment for the industry. It's an opportunity to rid the industry of the Steptoe and Son stereotype once and for all."

The new rules require dealers to record the value of the metal purchased, as well as proof of the seller's identity and address, and keep the records for three years.

Gary Cooper, director of operations and engineering at the Association of Train Operating Companies, described the changes as "excellent progress in the fight against cable thieves, whose actions cause delays and disruption for thousands of our customers".

Traders can apply for a temporary licence before 15 October in order to continue working while councils process full applications.