Media Centre

Thieves are being warned they will be caught “green- handed” if they steal copper from United Utilities’ electricity substations.

Improved security and a fall in metal prices have seen lead theft from Notts churches falling.

More than 30,000 of Britain’s 44,000 churches are now using SmartWater to defend church roofs against lead thieves.

Officers are visiting scrap-yards across the Northamptonshire as part of Operation Pilfer - an initiative launched last March in an effort to curb spiraling thefts of metals, particularly from church roofs.

The next Bishop of Shrewsbury has used his first tour of Shropshire to call for scrap metal dealers to be to be made to check for SmartWater as a condition of their licence.

Bus stops are being targeted by thieves who are dismantling them for their scrap metal.

Thieves who target rural communities in Teesdale beware — the police are on to you.

Landlords are being urged to be vigilant after a spate of burglaries at empty properties in areas of Sunderland.

AN INVISIBLE chemical is to be used to catch metal thieves.

A Cleveland Police operation to clamp down on thieves stealing metal then trading it in at local scrap yards has been hailed a success.