Thu 23 February 2012 03:06 GMT,

National day of action on metal theft

 ‘We must tackle this pernicious plague together’ - Police authorities back national day of action on metal theft

 

As Police forces across the country have joined with the Home Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Environment Agency and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs on a day of action today, 14.11.11 to address the growing problem of metal theft, Cllr Mark Burns-Williamson, Chair of the Association of Police Authorities commented:

 

“Metal theft has grown exponentially, not only in scale but in its terrible impact over recent months; at least 11 deaths, countless journeys disrupted and business hours lost, and the desecration of many communities' memorials to their dead.

 

Reflecting growing public concern, Police authorities are fully behind this day of action and are raising this issue as a high priority during their regular meetings with Chief Constables and other agencies across the country.

 

At a national level, we are actively supportive of the urgent work involving the Government, industry, police and partners to identify how best changes to legislation can play a part in preventing this pernicious plague.” ENDS.

 

Notes:

This comment is issued in response to the ‘National day of action to tackle metal theft’ today, 14.12.11. Full details: http://www.acpo.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/National-day-of-action-to-target-metal-theft-136.aspx

Notes to Editors

  1. Press contact: Nathan Oley, Head of Press and Public Affairs, 07714 399 760 / Nathan.oley@apa.police.uk
  2. The Association of Police Authorities (APA) represents all police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the British Transport Police Authority, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority, and the Ministry of Defence Police Committee.
  3. Local police authorities, along with the Home Secretary and chief officers of police, make up the tripartite relationship which is responsible for the governance of policing in England and Wales.
  4. Police authorities are currently made up of local people: a mix of local councillors and independent members (selected from the community) of which one must be a magistrate.
  5. The tripartite partners are the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities.
  6. The job of police authorities is to:
    • Consult with local communities to find out what they want the local police to do
    • Set the strategic direction for policing locally and decide what the police should focus their attention on locally, based on consultations with local communities
    • Set the budget for their police force, and decide how much local people should pay for policing in the local council tax
    • Make sure the police force is continuing to do a better job
    • Appoint (and, if necessary, dismiss) chief constables and senior police officers

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