Metal theft crime campaign launched

Figures show that in 2011 there were 669 recorded incidents of metal theft throughout Northern Ireland compared to 219 in 2007.

The campaign leaflet ‘Crush metal theft in your community’ will be distributed by campaign 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.

Launching the campaign, David Ford said: “Opportunistic criminals are targeting our community, and putting everyone at risk, by stealing metal from domestic, public and corporate premises.

“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 children’s 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 Atwood 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.”

The Joint Vice Chair of Crimestoppers in Northern Ireland, Barry Byrne said: “Crimestoppers is an independent, international charity providing a vital service to the public, enabling them to pass information in relation to crime anonymously in order to make Northern Ireland a safer place for all of us.

“The public can provide any information, no matter how small, 24 hours a day either by phone 0800 555 111 or online with guaranteed anonymity and without it even showing on their phone bill. Crimestoppers really does deliver results with over 2,000 arrests and the recovery of £4.5million of property and drugs in Northern Ireland alone.”