THE Government has announced a £5 million ‘metal theft taskforce’ to tackle a problem which has blighted the Vale and the Cotswolds in recent months.

George Osborne announced there would also be an increased focus on the regulation of the scrap metal industry and a possible change in the law to help deal with what he described as a “nationwide epidemic”.

The Chancellor said: “The Government is establishing a dedicated £5 million national taskforce, led by the British Transport Police, to tackle metal theft.

"This taskforce’s first steps will include an immediate programme of action targeting scrap metal dealers suspected to be trading illegally in stolen metal.”

Incidents of metal thefts have risen dramatically over the past year as the worldwide price of metal has increased. In the Vale and Cotswolds thefts have ranged from manhole covers to railway signal cables, many with dangerous consequences.

The Journal reported last month how Chris Long, from Sedgeberrow, plunged 10ft down an exposed manhole in the village while walking her dogs. She said: “I was lucky not to have been critically injured, or worse.”

Last week, Pershore man Micky Pincher had a late-night confrontation with a man he suspected of stealing his antique door knocker, while a large metal BT inspection box was taken from the A44 between Evesham and Pershore in August, leaving a gaping hole in the road.

A month later, an Evesham house was trashed from top to bottom in September when thieves ripped off roof lead, tore up floorboards to steal copper pipes and even wrenched off old bath taps.

More than 500 manhole and gulley covers have been stolen from across Worcestershire this year, with 110 of these in November alone.

Thieves also stole £60,000 worth of metal in an overnight raid at the Toddington headquarters of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway in July.

The theft of steam locomotive components at the workshops came as a severe blow to the volunteer-run enterprise.

Neil Carr, the railway’s operations director, said: “The loss was heartbreaking and deeply touched volunteers.”

In September, more than 1,000 properties were left without the use of telephones or computers afer two 800 metre lengths of copper cable were stolen near Toddington.

Evesham policeman Sergeant Phil Stayte said: “We would welcome any support in the fight against metal thefts. This is a country-wide phenomenon and is becoming an epidemic.

It affects people’s lives as this is often not just a theft of property with no victim.”

As part of the Government’s action on metal thefts, Worcester MP Robin Walker, Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier and Lord Faulkner of Worcester have been appointed vice chairmen of a group tasked with drafting legislation to make metal theft a specific crime with its own penalties.

It will seek to ban cash payments at scrap yards and create a tougher licensing regime, a move welcomed by local scrap dealers.

Richard Hartwell, of Common Road Dismantlers, said: “Metal theft is rife and it’s only going to get worse between now and Christmas because people want money.

“I’m all for a deterrent because people like us, who are bona fide scrap dealers, are getting tarred with the same brush which isn’t right.”

Just like Mr Hartwell, the director of Jansen Metco in Worcester’s Shrub Hill industrial estate, Pete Jansen, is being visited by police every other day. He said: “I support the action which is being taken.

In fact, I would like to see more of it so we can get the cowboys out of the trade, make it legal all the way through and get our reputation back.”

While the finer details of the legislation are yet to be decided – such as the maximum penalty – MP Robin Walker said it could come into effect sooner rather than later.

“If the Government decided to get behind it, it could push it through quite quickly,” he said.

Worcestershire County Council has also revealed it is in discussions with West Mercia Police about the possibility of using SmartWater technology on the 110,000 to 120,000 manhole and gulley covers it is responsible for.

A county council spokesman said: “We recognise this would be a deterrent but this action on its own probably wouldn’t be a total cure. A decision will be taken in the New Year.”