Scrap metal thieves targeting homes and businesses left vacant as residents jet off on their holidays are being rooted out in a police sting.

Officers stopped vans and trucks in Netherton yesterday as part of Operation Pacesetter, to tackle opportunistic criminals taking advantage of the holiday season.

Brass plaques have been snatched from war memorials, lead has been taken from church roofs and copper has been stripped from shops as metal thefts have plagued the Black Country in the past year.

But with the credit crunch biting and metal prices expected to carry on rising, officers fear the region could be hit by a new crimewave as people take a summer break leaving homes and factories vulnerable.

Sergeant Stuart Birtwisle, of Brierley Hill police, said thieves were targeting homes left empty by families on their summer holidays, stripping lead roofing from houses in the borough.

Dozens of motorists driving vans and trucks were stopped by a team of eight officers in Peartree Lane, just off the Cinder Bank island, yesterday in a high-profile bid to deter would-be thieves.

Police from Brierley Hill searched their vehicles and drivers were asked to account for any metal discovered. Six of those stopped could face prosecution after the team, led by Sergeant Birtwisle, launched further investigations. Sergeant Birtwisle said thieves were targeting homes left empty by families on their summer holidays, stripping lead roofing from houses in the borough.

The campaign is running alongside Operation Steel, which West Midlands Police launched last August to target metal thefts. Almost 1,000 people have been arrested since and Sergeant Birtwisle said police were closing in on a network of rogue dealers across the region who were feeding the illegal scrap trade.

He warned thieves they would face serious consequences if caught. “If we stop you and you have stolen metal then you are going to get arrested. When we advise the DWP about our investigation they will then suspend benefits payments.

“We try to support local businesses because this is serious. “If a business suffers a substantial metal theft it can be the difference between it going under and surviving.”