Stewart Jackson, MP for Peterborough has become vice chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Combating Metal Theft, the purpose of which is to engage Parliament in the scourge of metal theft; an ongoing problem in Peterborough and surrounding areas.
There have been reports of organised thieves have been stealing metal from across the city and most recently the Peterborough Lions Rugby Club, in Bretton. Over recent years the problem has cost Peterborough communities and businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds. Last year, the estimated cost of metal theft across the whole of the UK was £770 million.
On becoming vice chairman, Stewart Jackson said:
"I have been approached by a number of constituents, who have been concerned about or affected by metal theft. It is important that we tackle this issue not only because of economic reasons and its effect on transport, communications and power but also because of the very real risk to people's safety. Theft of railway line, man holes left uncovered and high voltage machinery left unlocked are increasingly a problem across Peterborough and the UK.
"I have agreed to be vice chair of the APPG on Combating Metal Theft in an attempt to help address this blight on society which is having an impact across society. We intend to look at the possible measures which could address the whole chain handling scrap metal”.