Metal Theft in the UK: Steps to Protect Your Property in 2025
- Justin Myles MSc FSyI CPP PSP CSMP
- Oct 5, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 27, 2025
Metal theft is surging again across the UK, costing the economy an estimated £500 million every year. Once thought to be under control after the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 2013, the crime has returned fuelled by inflation, material shortages, and the cost-of-living crisis.
From copper cabling to church roofs, no sector is safe, and property owners are paying the price.
Contents
Why Metal Theft is Back on the Rise
Metal theft is surging again across the UK, costing the economy an estimated £500 million every year (British Metals Recycling Association, 2024). Once thought to be under control after the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, the crime has returned — fuelled by inflation, material shortages, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Criminals are increasingly drawn to high-value metals such as copper, lead, aluminium, and bronze, and they know that vacant properties, churches, construction sites, and utility sites often provide easy opportunities.
At Propertysec, we have seen first-hand how fast moving and costly these incidents can be. A single copper theft can run into six-figure repair bills and cause disruption for thousands.
How Bad is the Problem in 2025?
The trend is worrying.
In 2012/13, more than 62,000 metal theft offences were recorded in England and Wales.
After the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, cases fell sharply — dropping below 15,000 a year by 2020.
But the problem has resurged. By 2021, offences climbed to around 19,000, and by 2022/23, incidents surged again to 28,446 — the highest in a decade (ONS/Statista).
The BMRA estimates that since 2013, metal theft has cost the UK economy over £4.3 billion, with at least 60 organised crime groups actively involved.
This data shows that metal theft is no longer a declining issue, it is a serious and growing threat to property owners, businesses, and infrastructure.
Which Metals Are Most Stolen?
Thieves target metals with strong resale value, including:
Copper: wiring, telecom cabling, pipes, transformers.
Lead: roofing materials, especially on churches and heritage sites.
Aluminium & Brass: window frames, fittings, signage.
Bronze: statues, plaques, monuments.
Iron & Steel: manhole covers, drain covers, infrastructure.
Copper remains the most vulnerable metal. Prices have held at £6–7 per kilo in recent years, making it highly attractive for organised criminals.
Why Void and Vacant Properties Are High-Risk
Empty or underused buildings are easy targets. Thieves know that:
Void sites often appear neglected, so there is little chance of being challenged.
Valuable materials like copper pipes or cabling can be stripped quickly.
Many sites have no active CCTV or alarms, making theft low risk and high reward.
For landlords, the damage goes far beyond the stolen material. Water leaks, power loss, vandalism, and structural repairs can push costs into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The Hidden Costs of Metal Theft
When thieves strike, the financial impact extends well beyond the scrap value. Property owners often face:
Rising insurance premiums after making a claim.
Downtime costs — loss of utilities, broadband, or power halting operations.
Secondary damage — stripped pipes can cause flooding or structural issues.
Reputation loss — customers and tenants may lose confidence.
In many cases, these hidden costs outstrip the value of the stolen metal itself.
Organised Crime and Sector Impacts
Metal theft is increasingly linked to organised crime groups (OCGs). The BMRA estimates at least 60 OCGs are actively involved in the trade across the UK.
This explains why incidents are not confined to isolated buildings. Recent victims include:
Railways – copper cabling thefts have caused widespread delays and millions in losses.
Utilities – power and water networks disrupted, leaving communities without services.
Telecoms – broadband and phone outages hitting thousands of homes and businesses.
Heritage sites – churches and historic buildings suffering irreparable lead and bronze theft.
For property owners, this means treating metal theft as a serious organised crime threat, not a petty nuisance.
9 Ways to Protect Your Property Against Metal Theft
1. Review Current Security Systems
Ensure alarms and CCTV are functional and monitored, inactive systems are worthless.
2. Improve Lighting
Install motion-activated solar lighting to deter intruders at void sites.
3. Harden Access Points
Use steel security screens and temporary metal doors to prevent easy break-ins.
4. Remove Hiding Places
Cut back vegetation and maintain clear sightliness for natural surveillance.
5. Block Vehicle Access
Deploy concrete blocks, mesh fencing, or anti-ram barriers to stop vehicles removing heavy loads.
6. Secure Roof Areas
Apply anti-climb paint, secure fire escapes, and fit anti-climb rollers on flat roofs to stop lead theft.
7. Use Video Verification Sensors
Install off-grid Reconeyez video verification systems or PIDs to detect intruders and alert response teams.
8. Maintain Property Appearance
A well-maintained site looks occupied and cared for, discouraging opportunists.
9. Mark Metals with SmartWater or SelectDNA
Traceable marking solutions deter criminals and aid recovery. Police data shows burglary reductions of up to 84% in SmartWater-marked areas.
Conclusion:
Metal theft is a persistent and costly problem, and as the latest figures show, it is rising again in 2025.
Organised groups, high scrap values, and under protected properties mean the risk is greater than ever.
Even a few well chosen security measures such as steel screens, security fencing, CCTV towers, PIDs, lighting, or deterrents like SmartWater, can make a property far less attractive to thieves.
For expert advice on the right mix of protection, or to arrange a no-obligation vulnerability assessment, contact Propertysec on 01293 804781.
