Metal thieves strike 339 times in one year

Metal thieves struck more than 300 times in Staffordshire in 12 months, new figures reveal.

The raiders are cashing in on rocketing prices of lead, copper and steel.

The highest number of thefts reported between August 1, 2010 to July 30, 2011 was in Cannock where there were 159. Thieves carried out 104 raids in Stafford, 46 in Lichfield and 30 in Rugeley. The figures have been released by Staffordshire Police under the Freedom of Information Act. But Police say they are fighting back through Operation Amalgam.

Local policing team commander, Insp Pat Shannaghan, said: "Operation Amalgam was launched over two years ago to specifically tackle the problem of metal theft and it is paying dividends.

"We regularly run joint operations to target waste carrying vehicles as we will not tolerate unlicensed vehicles operating in the area."

More than £4,000 of damage was caused by thieves who ripped 40 metres of copper cabling, worth just £300, from a generator plunging a Cannock council building into darkness.