Law Enforcement / Prevention
Metal Theft Toolkit
Local Government Association, UK
"This toolkit contains information on current powers, proposals for future regulation, examples of work across the country and templates for adaptation by your local authority.
There is growing pressure in parliament for more action to be taken to deter metal theft including tougher sentences for those caught stealing metal, stricter regulation of scrap metal dealers, and in the longer term the use of different materials to reduce the incidents of thefts. There have been cross-government discussions on what legislative and policy changes are needed, and what further initiatives can be taken at a local level to tackle metal theft."
Click here for link to downloadable report.
There is growing pressure in parliament for more action to be taken to deter metal theft including tougher sentences for those caught stealing metal, stricter regulation of scrap metal dealers, and in the longer term the use of different materials to reduce the incidents of thefts. There have been cross-government discussions on what legislative and policy changes are needed, and what further initiatives can be taken at a local level to tackle metal theft."
Click here for link to downloadable report.
C.S.R.A Metal Theft Task Force
The C.S.R.A. Metal Theft Task Force is a collaboration of Law Enforcement Agencies and Civilian business with the primary directive of combating metal thefts in jurisdictions surrounding Augusta-Richmond County, GA. Click here for mission statement and membership information.
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2010-2011 Monthly Metal Theft Reports from New Mexico Department of Homeland Security
 Click on image to access PDF |
Visit our Interviews page for expert insights on the metal theft problem.
The Eau Claire, Wisconsin Metal Theft Initiative
Eau Claire Police Department, Detective Division (2008)
“Investigators for the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Police Department were aware of an increase in instances of metal theft across the country. A few significant and time intensive investigations brought the issue home in 2006 and 2007. In May of 2006, $32,000 in copper wire was stolen from an electrical supply company. The investigation led to a group of suspects who were operating across Minnesota and Wisconsin...” Click here for link to report.
Metal Theft: The Problem, The Solution
Puyallup (WA) Police Department, Problem Oriented Policing Unit (2007)
This is a conference presentation slideshow that provides information on the problem and methods they used to combat it. This included drafting metal theft legislation based on existing pawnshop legislation, which limits cash transactions, creates a "no buy" list, and requires scrap yards to maintain records of purchases. There is also a discussion of marking metals and posting signs around high-risk areas, such as construction sites. Click here for link to report.
Prevention
Rural Crime Prevention
Washington State Department of Agriculture
“Metal theft has become a widespread problem across the nation. It hits the farm especially hard. The damage and loss of key equipment may mean the difference between a year where the farm turns a profit or where it goes under...” Click here for link to brochure.
Options for Reducing Copper Theft
Arizona Department of Transportation, J. Schoenfelder (2009)
“In this report, the researchers look into the practices that other organizations similar to the Arizona Department of Transportation are implementing and which techniques appear to be successful. We also examine organizations that have experienced theft of copper under different conditions to see if methods used in different situations could be adapted and applied to serve the needs of the Arizona Department of Transportation...” Click here for link to report.
Metal Theft Prevention
Dallas Police Department
“10 Steps to Securing Your Job Site...” Click here for link to brochure.
Secondary Metals Compliance Guide: A Guide for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Others to Better Understand the Proper and Lawful Purchase of Regulated Metal Property in Georgia
“From at least 1967 through 1992, Georgia laws have included provisions requiring “each dealer in junk or metals” to hold, segregated, in its original form, shape, or condition, all purchases of copper wire and cable, for a period of five business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Records were required to be kept, which included the name, address, driver’s license number or tag number of the person selling the copper. Additionally, the records must include the name and address of the person or other entity from whom the copper was acquired by the person who sold the copper to the “dealer.” (Ga. L. 1967, p. 603, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1970, p. 693, § 1.) ( O.C.G.A. § 10-1-350)...” Click here for report.
Baltimore's Comprehensive Communities Program: A Case Study
Roth & Kelling (2004)
"CCP, CLC, and the State's Attorney's Office were all involved in planning a legal attack on seven large salvage yards to eliminate the market for the scrap copper "metal men" strip from abandoned houses..." Click here for link to report.
If you have any metal theft prevention or law enforcement initiative documents you would like to share, please send them to contact@metaltheft.net. |  from Junk Dealing and Juvenile Delinquency (1919) |