Europol hosts EU Metal Theft Conference

Over the past two days, Europol hosted a conference on the growing trend of metal theft. Held at Europol headquarters in The Hague, law enforcement officers from EU Member States and representatives from the private sector met in the framework of the European project on Mobile Organised Crime Groups. Delegates learned of the dangers and high costs associated with this type of criminality which often impacts critical transport, communication and power networks. A recent downturn in the market price of recycled metal does not appear to have reduced the scale of metal theft across Europe.

Europol is very pleased with the growing levels of collaboration in this field between the police and private sector across Europe. This crime causes considerable disruption and the costs associated with replacing and repairing the damage caused often grossly exceeds the value of the metal stolen. Loss of communication networks and damage to railway tracks also raises public safety concerns. Intelligence shows that the stolen metal is often transported across several borders and sold as scrap, or for recycling, far away from the scene of the crime. Conferences like this raise awareness, provide expertise and best practice and allow the exchange of ideas between all parties involved.