Drug users cashing in on thefts
Drug addicts are cashing in on the Black Country's metal theft boom by stealing cars and selling them for £50 to get a day's fix, it was revealed today. Drug addicts are cashing in on the Black Country's metal theft boom by stealing cars and selling them for £50 to get a day's fix, it was revealed today. Users are picking older vehicles so as not to arouse suspicion when they sell them on at scrap yards. The Express & Star has teamed up with police in a bid to slash the trade, which is costing the region's economy millions of pounds. Figures show the Black Country was hit with 761 metal thefts and burglaries between April and June this year, compared with 359 in the same period last year. Read the full story in today's Express & Star.
Drug addicts are cashing in on the Black Country's metal theft boom by stealing cars and selling them for £50 to get a day's fix, it was revealed today.
Users are picking older vehicles so as not to arouse suspicion when they sell them on at scrap yards.
The Express & Star has teamed up with police in a bid to slash the trade, which is costing the region's economy millions of pounds.
Figures show the Black Country was hit with 761 metal thefts and burglaries between April and June this year, compared with 359 in the same period last year.
Lead, steel and copper prices have rocketed in value amid a shortage of raw materials and worldwide demand. Crooks are stripping lead from church roofs and homes, stealing aluminium beer barrels from pubs and scaffolding from building yards.
In response, police launched Operation Steel - and today asked Express & Star readers to shop the thieves.
Yesterday four teenagers were arrested after allegedly trying to sell on a car-load of stolen lead to a firm in Wolverhampton.
They were turned away from J Smith Metals on Parkfield Road by staff. Police then spotted the car. Witnesses should call police on 0845 113 5000.
