Sets of metal gates stolen from Yeadon homes (From Wharfedale Observer)

Sets of metal gates stolen from Yeadon homes

3:37pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in News

Metal thieves have struck in Yeadon with gates being stolen from two different houses.

Police say the gates were taken from homes on Queensway.

Thefts of metal have been increasing in recent years after a rise in the value of scrap following a boom in the Asian construction industry Last year a tonne of scrap copper could fetch up to £1,400 while scrap lead could be sold for between £800 and £1,000 a tonne.

A number of operations have been launched to clamp down on the thefts and police have appealed for help from the public.

It is believed cases sometimes go unreported because the people feel nothing can be done – but police have stressed the importance of reporting even small thefts to help them catch the perpetrators.

In a separate incident jewellery and cash were stolen in a daytime burglary at a house in Yeadon.

Police say thieves broke in by disabling a lock on the back door of a property on East View Road.