POLICE are setting up a new system for tracking metal theft in North Yorkshire after nearly 1,300 such crimes were reported last year.

Statistics obtained by The Press under the Freedom Of Information Act reveal how metal thieves struck more than three times a day on average during 2011, causing misery and expense for residents, businesses, schools, churches and rail passengers.

The number of metal thefts identified by North Yorkshire Police over the year came to 1,295, with all but four months seeing the tally of crimes stand above 100, as steel, lead and copper become more attractive to criminals because of rising worldwide prices.

Changes to the force’s crime recording system allow officers to specifically record metal thefts in their own designated category, rather than being included within general areas such as burglary and vehicle crime.

The new approach, scheduled for completion last week, is expected to provide a fuller picture of metal theft in North Yorkshire, as well as the particular items and materials stolen and from where.

The 2011 figures showed that most metal was snatched in May and June in North Yorkshire, with 145 and 144 offences identified respectively, followed by August (131) and September (113), with 102 in both January and February and a further 110 in March. December (68 crimes) had the lowest total.

High-profile thefts included a a £25,000 steel bridge stolen from a Selby yard; metal sculptures taken from artist Michael Lyons’ Cawood home; copper cable stripped from a former Nestlé factory building in York and a bid to take metal railings from York Racecourse. Cable thefts from railway lines also caused delays on services to and from North Yorkshire.

The Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill, aimed at introducing a licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers, banning cash-in-hand deals and giving police more powers to search scrapyards, will have its second reading in the House of Commons next month.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, who has called for radical measures to tackle metal theft, said many crimes were not reported and were difficult to be categorised.

“Metal theft is a hugely expensive and disruptive crime offering high returns, and there is a need for swift action. Changes are being made to the laws, but in a debate this week I will be urging ministers not to take their eye off the ball, because through introducing a cashless payment system, the danger is that the illegal trade in metal will be driven underground on to the black market.”