‘Highly organised’ gang blamed for plates theft

11:40am Friday 18th July 2008

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STEEL plates worth more than £18,000 have been stolen from a business park near York.

The theft is believed to be the latest in a growing tally of scrap metal crimes prompted by soaring world metal prices – and police believe the plates were taken by a “highly organised” gang.

Now Knaresborough police are appealing for information following the theft of a large volume of steel plates from Marston Moor Business Park at Tockwith, near York.

The plates are believed to have been stolen overnight, between 5pm on Friday and 8am Saturday morning.

Thieves stole 22 tonnes of abrasion resistant steel plates in assorted sizes and thickness, with an estimated value of around £18,500.

Each plate has a serial number and has been registered as stolen.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are appealing to anyone who is offered any steel for sale at unrealistic prices or from unknown contacts, to contact police immediately.” Police believe the steel was taken by highly organised and well-equipped criminals and are appealing to anyone who can provide any information or saw any suspicious activity in the area of the business park between Friday evening and Saturday morning, to contact Knaresborough Police.”

The soaring price of metal has lead to a huge increase in this type of crime.

Earlier this year police in York and Selby staged a major operation to combat metal theft, as part of a Europe-wide crackdown.

Officers stopped possibly suspicious vehicles and went to all registered scrap dealers – but the problem of metal theft continues to spiral.

City of York Council has paid out £150,000 in the past year to repair damage caused by thieves stealing lead off school roofs.

Church bosses in the York diocese have also made claims for more than £300,000 following the theft of lead and other metals from roofs.

In May, a total of 31 manhole covers were taken from Copmanthorpe, Viking Road and Danebury Drive, in Acomb.

And last month a further 30 of the metal grates were stolen in the Groves area and Hallfield Road in Heworth.

Anyone with information about the theft from Marston Moor Business Park is asked to phone Knaresborough Police on 0845 60 60 247, or alternatiively phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.