POLICE have targeted Colchester’s scrapyards in a a clampdown on crooks stealing cables and other metal items.

British Transport Police swooped on two yards yesterday on the lookout for cabling swiped from railway lines.

A team of 12 officers scoured skips and checked dealers’ records to make sure all was above board.

The operation coincided with raids on 31 other yards across the county.

In the past six months, 45 cable-related crimes have been reported in Essex, 15 of them since January.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of metal theft - two in Basildon and one in Laindon. There were no arrests in Colchester.

Supt Paul Brogden, who led the operation, said: “Since copper reached an all-time high on the international market, we have seen an increase in metal thefts in the area.

“In reality, the criminals gain very little from stealing cable, as the quantities stolen are relatively small. Our real concern is the impact the thefts have on others.

“Metal theft is far from a victimless crime and can cause enormous problems for communities and for industry.

“In recent months, we have seen significant problems on the main railway lines which run between Essex and London, because of cable theft.

“In the past few weeks, we’ve also seen incidents on the London Undergroundain causing extensive delays and cancellations. We will pay particular attention to some scrap metal dealers who continue to flout the law and provide an outlet for thieves because they buy and sell stolen metal.”

Officers have also increased night patrols along railway lines in an effort to catch the thieves red-handed.

Mr Brogden added: “We are also asking members of the public whose homes overlook the railway to be more vigilant and to contact us if they spot any suspicious activity on 0800 405040.”