Anti-metal theft law takes step forward

The Henry Moore sundial sculpture is thought to be worth up to £500,000. Credit: ITV Anglia

Moves to create new laws, to tackle the growing problem of metal theft, will take a step forward today, with the second reading of a scrap metal bill introduced by the MP for Croydon South.

Conservative Richard Ottaway is promoting legislation which would make it easier to close unlicensed scrap metal yards and ban cash transactions.

Police are dealing with a massive rise in metal theft, with churches, war memorials and even road signs being targeted.

This week, an artwork by the world famous sculptor Henry Moore was stolen from Much Hadam in Hertfordshire.

It's thought to be worth up to £500,000 - but police think it was stolen for its scrap metal value of just a few hundred pounds.

Neil Bradford's report on the theft of the sculpture features an interview with Detective Inspector Paul Watts from Hertfordshire Police.