Trucks being heisted for scrap value

Trucks being heisted for scrap value

Trucks are increasingly being stolen for their value as scrap and recycled materials, UK authorities have warned the road haulage industry. Two possible causes have been identified for the rise in truck theft. First is the high prices now paid for scrap metal on the international markets, which is in turn driven partly by China's insatiable demand for metal. Second are the thieves who have realised that almost any part of a truck - wheel hubs, side panels, axles, catalytic converters, plastic chairs or the gold in the wiring looms - has a recyclable value.

This trend is an interesting counterpoint to the traditional use of trucks to transport valuable items, and also the rather less traditional use of trucks to remove stolen items destined for unscrupulous scrap merchants. Indeed, trucks have been used to remove valuable but heavy items from churches for some time, and two years ago a Mercedes truck was used to steal a two-tonne, £3m sculpture by Henry Moore from a museum in Hertfordshire. Now the trucks are the valuable target rather than the means of transporting it.

The problem was first identified in Canada, where police are continuing to investigate the theft of at least 15 tanker trucks in the past two years. Made of aluminium or stainless steel, the vehicles are thought to be worth US$51,000 (£25,000) when broken down into their recyclable component parts. Catalytic converters have been removed with cordless reciprocating saws pointed with a stainless steel blade. According to one recycling expert, who asked not to be identified, a competent thief could remove a converter in just six minutes and would be able to sell it for US$75-300 (£36-146).

continue reading:  http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/10/29/128854/trucks-being-stolen-for-scrap-value.html