An epidemic of metal theft – everything from copper, stainless steel and cast iron – from its water and sewage treatment sites has spurred Severn Trent Water into action. The utility has upped its security measures and has introduced a number of new initiatives, working in partnership with local police forces, to combat the growing problem.

“With copper currently fetching £4,000 a tonne, thieves are targeting this and other metals which are attracting high prices, and our sites are, unfortunately, suffering as a result,” said Pete Leatherland, Security Manager for Severn Trent Water.

Since April this year alone, the company estimates that metal theft has cost it more than half-a-million pounds. Mr. Leatherhead explained,

“We aren’t alone in experiencing a rise in this kind of theft. It’s estimated that metal theft is costing British industry £360m a year, and a number of police forces around the country have set up special task forces to tackle this kind of crime.”

These include Nottinghamshire Police and Derbyshire Police forces, which have created Operation Metallica, and Operation Calanthia respectively. They are working in partnership with utilities like Severn Trent Water, and other organisations, to find ways of making sites less vulnerable and finding ‘smarter’ ways of tracking down those responsible for the thefts.

Among the measures being put in place by Severn Trent is a trial using a special grease which can be used to mark the metals. This new hi-tech marking system makes it easier for the police to identify both the stolen metals, and those who steal them.

Mr. Leatherhead added