London - British police have launched a nationwide crackdown on metal thieves whose activities are costing the economy an estimated 360 million pounds (720 million dollars) a year, police said Tuesday. Drain covers, lead from church roofs and railway signal cables are among the items regularly being stolen by thieves. Nearly 40 police forces will be involved in the crackdown, which includes visits to scrap yards and suspected transporters of metal. The rising demand for metal from emerging economies such as China and India is said to be fuelling the crime. Theft of metal in Britain is said to have risen on average by 150 per cent in the last two years as prices rise - in some cases by as much as 100 per cent, reports said. "Thousands of people have seen their community facilities stolen or damaged by thieves looking for a...
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