Metal thieves raid pubs
Scrap metal thieves are even raiding pubs in the Black Country for the aluminium from beer barrels, it was claimed today. Scrap metal thieves are even raiding pubs in the Black Country for the aluminium from beer barrels, it was claimed today. Organised gangs are stealing £200,000 worth of metal every week from homes, churches and businesses in the West Midlands to feed a thriving trade in illegal exports. The metal is loaded into containers and shipped to the growing economies of China, India and the Far East. Read the full story in today's Express & Star
Organised gangs are stealing £200,000 worth of metal every week from homes, churches and businesses in the West Midlands to feed a thriving trade in illegal exports.
The metal is loaded into containers and shipped to the growing economies of China, India and the Far East.
The owner of The Sportsman pub in High Street, West Bromwich, said he was shocked when he went to open up and saw a man rolling empty barrels around his yard.
The thieves made off with six empty barrels which had been left out as they were empty.
Owner of The Sportsman Jaz Johal said today: "I had come to open up at 8am in the morning.
"It was barely daylight when I heard someone out the back.
"I went to have a look and I saw a 22-year-old man throwing barrels over to some men with a van. It was quite brazen."
Sandwell traders' spokesman Peter Griffin said today: "There has been a big problem with metal thefts and a number of pubs have been targeted for their beer kegs."
Two men were also caught on camera raiding a Wolverhampton pub for beer barrels last week.
The pair drove up the back yard leading their transit with 20 empty barrels worth £2,000.
Guards had to be placed around flood defence barriers in Bewdley after thieves tried to steal aluminium parts.
Churches have also been targeted for the lead on their roofs.
John Tew, managing director of West Bromwich-based Ault Insurance Brokers, said: "There is a major problem with this at the moment, largely due to the high price of scrap metal at the moment.
"These thefts can prove to be extremely expensive. They aren't just the building materials to replace but scaffolding to pay for.
"One of the claims were are currently dealing with totals £35,000.
"This sort of theft is an old problem that seems to have reared its head once again."
The Express & Star revealed last week the distress caused by the grave robbers who plundered Bilston Cemetery hunting for scrap metal.
The seven bronze plaques stolen during the raid are set to be replaced free of charge by the local authority.
The missing metal plates used to cover the final resting place of the ashes of people who had been cremated, included one commemorating the deaths of Lilian and Sidney Hunt.
