Asian market fuels rise in metal theft (From Witney Gazette)

Asian market fuels rise in metal theft

POLICE say an economic boom in China and India is fuelling a rise in scrap metal thefts across Oxfordshire.

Thieves are stealing materials such as copper and aluminium to sell overseas where there is a high demand for scrap.

Police fear that businesses across the county are being hit so often that they do not bother to report thefts.

The force has now warned scrap metal dealers that officers have the power to view purchase books and said they could expect a visit.

The Morrells Brewery depot, in Osney Mead, Oxford, has been targeted twice by raiders who stole empty steel beer barrels.

The latest raid was on January 12, at 12.35am, while the site was also hit during the night between January 4 and 5.

The Swan Foundry, in Swan Close Road, Banbury, was burgled between 8pm on January 9 and 5am on January 10.

Thieves stole metal including iron/nickel alloy.

Police want to trace a white Transit van witnesses reported seeing in the area and thought was suspicious.

Copper piping was stolen from three air conditioning units at an office at the Sandy Lane industrial estate, Oxford, on December 16. Police said two men had been charged with theft and criminal damage.

Crime reduction officer Nick Gilbert said: "Scrap prices, particularly for non-ferrous metals such as copper and aluminium, are at their highest for more than two years and it's thought that will rise further in the early spring.

"Prices are being pushed up by the economic booms in India and China, and much of this metal makes its way out to Asia. "

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.