SUSPECTED metal thieves have been the focus for South Yorkshire Police over the last two days - resulting in several arrests.
Officers from the South Yorkshire force took part in a nationwide crackdown on metal theft and unlicensed metal dealers.
As part of the operation, officers visited a number of scrap yards and other sites in parts of Sheffield, including Atterclif
fe.
Scrap metal theft is a growing problem in the UK, with the annual cost to business and the public estimated to be in the region of £360 million.
Offenders are sometimes so desperate they even put their own lives at risk by stealing live electrical cables from substations and railway lines.
Thieves have also removed lead from the roofs of historic buildings, such as churches.
South Yorkshire Police is among 38 forces who took part in the planned two-day action by targeting hotspots for transporting stolen metal, visiting scrap yards and conducting both overt and covert operations.
Det Supt Bill Hotchkiss, leading the initiative in the county, said: "Each district - Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley - had planned operations to target metal thefts and arrests have been made."
Police carried out the operations in partnership with other agencies including the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, councils and the Environment Agency.
Anyone with information about suspected metal thefts should call 0114 2202020 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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