Fury as frontbenchers block Metal Theft Bill

Government opposition to a private member’s bill on metal theft has sparked fury among energy network companies that are targeted by thieves up to 20 times a day.
The Bill, tabled by Graham Jones, Labour MP for Haslingden & Hyndburn, had cross-party ­support and was backed by network firms, which spend £12 million a year on anti-metal theft security, according to the Energy Networks Association (ENA).
But on Friday Conservative frontbenchers objected to it, dashing industry hopes that legislation would be contained in the Queen’s Speech in the spring.
“We’re very disappointed,” said an ENA spokesman. “It is a gift to criminals.” He said it was now unlikely that legislation would be in place before the Olympics and he urged the government to set out alternative proposals.
Utility Week understands that a move to ban cash payments in scrap yards could be tabled within the Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill. A Home Office spokesman refused to elaborate on the official line that it was “stepping up” enforcement action and was “looking at a range of options, including what would be the quickest and most effective legislative vehicle for the changes that are needed”.
Jones was unimpressed. “It is naive to believe Britain’s extensive metal estate can be policed,” he said. “Ministers who believe it represented government red tape are completely out of touch.”
The ENA said there are 20 metal thefts a day from energy networks. Last year, there were 7,000 in the sector, an increase of about 80 per cent on 2010, when Deloitte estimated metal theft cost energy firms £60 million.

by Brendan Coyne

This article first appeared in Utility Week’s print edition of 27 January 2012.
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