Date: 26/12/2011

Police have seized 14 tonnes of suspected stolen railway cable and made 45 arrests after searching around 160 scrap metal yards in a single day. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said the haul followed visits to 400 scrap metal recyclers in England and Wales on 14 December. The day of action aimed to tackle the 'growing' crime of metal theft, thought to cost the economy £700m a year. Scotland Yard is launching a dedicated unit to target the thieves. [From Richard Buckby]

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Police seize tonnes of rail cable

BBC News

Police seize 14 tonnes of suspected stolen railway cable and make 45 arrests after searching 160 scrap metal yards in a single day.