METAL THEFT ON THE RAILWAY NETWORK, FROM CONTRUCTION SITES AND FROM CHURCHES

26 June 2019: I took part in the debate that discussed what were the plans to counter the increase in metal theft on the railway network, from construction sites and from churches. Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I agree with the Minister that the Scrap Metal Dealers Act has been very successful, not least because it was followed up by Operation Tornado and the activities of the scrap metal task force. However, figures for recent times, particularly the past two years, are not as good as the Minister indicated. In the case of railway and cable theft, for example, delays caused in the year up to 2019 are 83% up compared to the previous year. Will the Minister look at these figures again and pay particular attention to the need for stricter enforcement, while encouraging police forces to visit scrapyards to ensure that metal is not being sold for cash? Read my contribution in full here

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