New taskforce started in Hertfordshire to prevent broadband cable theft

The police force in Hertfordshire has set up a new taskforce exclusively for putting an end to the metal theft in the county. Metal theft has been in taking place without any interruption for quite sometime giving headache to the broadband service providers including British Telecom and Virgin Media. The culprits steel copper from the broadband cables, rail and energy networks and sell them at very high prices. The taskforce will function in association with the broadband service providers, British Transport Police, Trading Standards, and EDF etc to catch the criminals. The task force will consist of eight people - a detective sergeant, two road policing officers, a crime analyst and four detective constables who will work with other members of the constabulary. The project is known as ‘Operation Devon’. Its leader Liz Hanlon, who himself is a Detective Chief Inspector, said that the duties of the task force include making visits to scrap dealers, giving search warrants, collecting intelligence etc. The whole country is experiencing metal theft, giving headache to the government and the people alike. The country is losing as much as GBP 700 million a year due to the crime. The risk to people’s lives on account of live wires can very well be imagined. The risk of fire also persists. Incidentally, in London a similar taskforce was established by the Metropolitan Police Service last month.