A Metal Theft Prevention Bill was introduced in the House of Commons this week.

At a launch event on Monday, November 14, Graham Jones MP for Hyndburn, who is introducing the Private Members Bill, said: "This bill will finally close the holes in the regulatory system around metal theft which make it far too easy for people to make money from stolen metal."

"It is time to get tough on this endemic crime. Metal theft in this country is a crime which is out of control and it‟s about time the government took swift firm action.”

Recent thefts at Carshalton, Croydon and across south London have resulted in thousands of pounds of damage caused to war memorials.

The proposals have received widespread support from industry.

Energy Networks Association chief executive David Smith said: “With 700 incidents of metal theft against the energy networks each month, addressing the damage caused by thieves has become a daily challenge for those maintaining our critical national infrastructure.

"This hugely dangerous crime has already caused 6 fatalities and over 50 serious injuries in the last 12 months. It is only a matter of time before an innocent person is hurt or worse."

Mr Smith was scathing of the currrent legislation saying it was "unfit for purpose".

He said: "This Bill has huge potential to be a vehicle for the change in the law we need to see. There must be urgent action if we are to avoid more lives being lost. Only by stopping the means of benefitting from the crime can we stop the mindless acts of criminals.”

The Bill calls for a robust licensing scheme coupled with greater police and magistrate powers to close and keep closed yards that do not operate within the law, and the move to a cashless system with the requirement of proof of ID and address.