BSIA releases guide to help tackle metal theft

Metal theft is a continuous problem in the United Kingdom and comes at a significant cost, with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) estimating it to cost the UK economy £770 million a year. In light of this growing crime, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has released a metal theft guide to help property owners of varying types tackle this problem.

Metal thieves have a wide range of targets including rail and communications infrastructure, public utilities, metal piping and lead roofing on churches and schools and even bronze plaques from war memorials. Stealing the metals for their extrinsic value, these opportunists are regularly finding new ways to source valuable materials and sell them on illegally.

The BSIA’s new guide serves to highlight just how much of an impact this crime is having across the UK and provides a variety of security solutions that could successfully discourage or catch these thieves.

Featuring real life success stories provided by member companies of the BSIA, such solutions can include physical security equipment, asset and property marking, CCTV, intruder alarm systems and access control. The guide includes a wide range of case studies showing how these different security solutions have helped protect properties or trace culprits – ranging from protecting vacant properties, to safeguarding drain covers and securing our businesses and homes.

“Metal theft is an unacceptable crime with significant consequences and it is important that we respond forcefully and in a timely manner to this serious threat” comments Geoff Knupfer, Chairman of the BSIA’s Asset and Property Marking section. “Marking your property with a forensic coding solution can act as a successful deterrent to thieves, and if your property is stolen, the traceable nature of the solution can help return materials to their rightful owners and provide conclusive evidence in support of criminal prosecution.”

In 2011 the Government acknowledged the severity of this issue, with the Home Office setting up a task force – led by the British Transport Police – with the help of a £5 million boost from the Treasury. However, it is still extremely important that property owners implement their own security measures in order to affect positive change.

“Metal theft can be detrimental to all types of infrastructures and dealing with the repercussions can be costly and time consuming” warns David Frampton, Chairman of the BSIA’s Physical Security Equipment section. “Effective security measures, such as physical security, can offer peace of mind to the general public with property owners being safe in the knowledge that their equipment is protected when left unattended.”