Business

Surge in metal theft costs UK economy half a billion pounds

Published

3 months 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

Tata Steel Sticks to job cut plans despite Welsh pressure

Published

21 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN an intense and pivotal meeting in Mumbai, Tata Steel firmly reiterated its decision to cut 2,800 jobs in the UK, primarily impacting the Port Talbot site, despite urgent appeals from Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething. Mr. Gething, who recently met with senior executives, expressed his disappointment at the firm’s unwavering stance unless there’s a shift in the UK government.

Despite these challenging circumstances, the First Minister underscored his commitment to protect jobs and prevent compulsory redundancies across Welsh sites. This dialogue comes as Tata plans to close both blast furnaces at Port Talbot by September, replacing them with a greener electric arc furnace by summer 2025, which promises to preserve thousands of jobs and reduce CO2 emissions significantly.

The Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, criticised Mr. Gething’s approach, suggesting that while the UK government has offered substantial financial aid, the Welsh government has only funded the First Minister’s travel to India. He accused Mr. Gething of “globetrotting” at a time of domestic scrutiny over controversial donations to his Welsh Labour leadership campaign.

Mr. Gething defended his trip, stating, “How can I sit at home and not be here in Mumbai, fighting for thousands of workers’ jobs?” He highlighted the potential of a change in leadership, with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer poised to possibly become the next Prime Minister, which he believes could usher in a new era of capital investment for the steel industry.

Amid the uncertainty of an upcoming general election, possibly scheduled between October and January, there is concern that any governmental changes may arrive too late to alter Tata’s current trajectory. Tata CEO TV Narendran described the discussions as productive but maintained the company’s strategic direction, emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable future in the UK steel industry.

The GMB union and members of the Community steelworkers’ union have voiced strong opposition, with recent votes favouring industrial action against the restructuring plans. Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesman, Luke Fletcher, has called for the nationalisation of the steel industry, labeling Tata’s current worker treatment as “appalling.”

Meanwhile, both parties acknowledged areas of mutual benefit, such as potential investments around Port Talbot and collaborations with Welsh universities on green steel production. The First Minister also highlighted opportunities linked to the Global Centre of Rail Excellence near Neath, with Tata considering a formal agreement.

As Mr. Gething returns from Mumbai, the situation remains tense, with the future of many steelworkers hanging in the balance and the Welsh and UK governments at odds over the best course of action to mitigate job losses and transition to sustainable steel production.

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

3 days ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Business

Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards

Published

3 days ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.

Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.

The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.

Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.

Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.

Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.

Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.

For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.