Crime Prevention - Metal Theft

Metal Theft continues to be a dangerous and growing Crime in Ireland, which strikes at the very heart of the Community. Metal Theft can impact on Farmers, Commuters, Schools, Irish Businesses and key utility companies such as ESB, Eircom and Irish Rail.

In some regions it is reported to have reached alarming proportions. When the price of scrap metal rises, so too does the theft of scrap metal.

It is believed that this increase in the price of metal is a direct result of the rapid industrial development in countries like India and China. The metals most commonly stolen are copper, aluminium, brass and bronze and with the approximate market value of one tonne of aluminium estimated at €1,750 it can be a very lucrative business. Metal thieves target our manholes, churches, public buildings, telecommunication cables, homes and electricity substations. These thefts are putting communities in danger. There were 2,650 reported incidents in 2011.

Inspector Niall Featherstone and Mr Harold Kingston, Irish Farmers Association were in studio to offer advice to the public.