Business

Surge in metal theft costs UK economy half a billion pounds

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

A NEW report released today by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Metal, Stone and Heritage has revealed a startling increase in metal theft across the UK, costing the economy an estimated half a billion pounds in the last year alone.

This surge in metal theft, driven by organised crime groups, has been escalating since 2019, with the total cost over the past decade reaching a staggering £4.3 billion.

Pembrokeshire has seen its fair share of this kind of theft, including internet cables being stolen in Pembroke Dock last week. Police are investigating.

Andrew Selous, MP and Chair of the APPG, highlighted the critical role of metal in our daily lives, from infrastructure to personal devices. Selous expressed concern over the rising incidents of theft, particularly from churches and public utilities, which are often miscategorised as ‘non dwelling burglaries’, masking the true extent of this pervasive issue.

In-Depth Inquiry into Metal Theft

The APPG’s comprehensive report, a culmination of a year-long inquiry, involved discussions with various stakeholders, including UK police forces, the British Transport Police, Network Rail, the Church of England, and other key organisations. The inquiry uncovered a significant rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles, with incidents skyrocketing by 170 percent since 2013. Thieves target these devices for the precious metals they contain, such as palladium, rhodium, and platinum, which have soared in value on the global market.

Lead theft from churches and historic buildings has also seen an uptick, posing a severe threat to the nation’s heritage. The inquiry shed light on the sophisticated methods employed by criminals, often involving intimidation and high-tech tools to execute these thefts.

The Impact on Society and Economy

The report underscores the profound impact of metal theft on essential services and infrastructure. For example, telecom and power networks have faced significant disruptions due to cable theft, with one organisation reporting over 330 incidents in 2022, leading to losses exceeding £5 million. In one instance, a hospital in Newport, Wales, suffered a theft of £35,000 worth of cable, jeopardising patient safety by disabling its emergency power system.

Who is Behind the Surge?

The inquiry found that metal theft in the UK is increasingly a domestic issue, with stolen metal often processed within the country. This shift is attributed to budget cuts in various governmental bodies, reducing oversight and enforcement. The APPG identified two main types of criminals involved: opportunistic individuals driven by economic gain and organised crime groups (OCGs), which are more sophisticated and numerous, significantly contributing to the prevalence of metal theft.

A Call for Action and Reform

The APPG report criticises the current legal framework’s inability to deter metal theft effectively. It highlights the need for a more robust approach, including specific offence codes for metal theft and enhanced data collection on the crime’s nature and impact.

To combat this rising threat, the APPG has proposed ten recommendations, including the establishment of a Home Office-led working group comprising various stakeholders to enforce the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (SMDA) more effectively. The recommendations also call for a detailed national police effort to gather intelligence and disrupt OCGs, suggesting that current sentencing does not reflect the severity of the impact of these crimes.

The report concludes that while the SMDA initially curbed metal theft, dwindling knowledge and enforcement of the Act have allowed unlawful dealers to operate with little risk of prosecution. The APPG hopes its recommendations will reverse the increasing trend of metal theft since 2019 and address this significant threat to the UK’s economy and heritage.

For more detailed information on the report and its findings, please visit our website at [web address].

[Your Name], with over 20 years of experience in journalism, reporting for The Pembrokeshire Herald.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.