POLICE have made more than 40 arrests as part of Project Livewire, a force-wide campaign to tackle metal theft.

The latest incident happened near Ombersley Golf Course, when three men were arrested on Wednesday after a member of the public reported spotting a group of people loading a van with, what was believed to be, stolen metal.

The three Birmingham men, aged 18, 18 and 20, have been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

More than 40 arrests have been made since Project Livewire was launched at the end of July. In another incident two men were taken into custody on Monday, November 19 after a Community Support Officer spotted them wheeling a new metal bin from flats in Warndon, Worcester.

Acting Detective Inspector Mark Stringer, from West Mercia Constabulary's Force Intelligence Bureau said: "Police are working to improve the flow of information between partners such as the Environment Agency and local authorities to establish patterns of crime and what can be done to prevent and detect offences. Officers also share best practice with neighbouring forces and British Transport Police. Part of Project Livewire involves officers visiting scrap metal dealers to inspect their books and encourage their business to become licensed."

An increase in global demand for non-ferrous metals has led to an increase in price and scrap values. Consequently there has been an increase in thefts of pipes, drain covers, road signs and other items.

Stop checks will be carried out on vehicles transporting metal and officers will be checking drivers for the correct documentation. Churches and other vulnerable premises are also being sprayed with Smartwater, a solution that is invisible to the naked eye but detectable under ultra-violet lights, in a bid to trace and recover stolen metal.


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