Campaign to crush metal theft launched

The launch comes just weeks after an estimated £25,000 lead theft at Whitehead Presbyterian Church, with a number of schools in the Borough also recently targeted by thieves.

With figures reporting 669 recorded incidents of metal theft throughout Northern Ireland in 2011, compared to 219 in 2007, the crime appears to be on the rise.

The campaign leaflet ‘Crush metal theft in your community’ will be distributed by partners including the PSNI, BT, Northern Ireland Electricity, Northern Ireland Water and the Housing Executive.

It points to the fact that theft of manhole covers, cables used for 999 calls and live electricity wiring puts everyone at risk.

“Opportunistic criminals are targeting our community, and putting everyone at risk, by stealing metal from domestic, public and corporate premises,” Mr Ford said.

“It is easy to think the impact of this crime is purely financial but as the Crimestoppers leaflet points out, this crime can also be extremely dangerous to you, your family and your community. Criminals will target playgrounds, church and school roofs, telephone cabling and similar items, with no regard for the potential consequences.

“I am engaging with the Environment Minister Alex Attwood on the matter and will continue to do so as we seek to address this crime. I wish Crimestoppers and their partners every success with this initiative and hope the public responds with any information they may have in order to tackle this crime in Northern Ireland,” he added.

The public can provide any information to Crimestoppers 24 hours a day, either by phone on 0800 555 111 or online with guaranteed anonymity and without it even showing on their phone bill.