MORE than £50,000 worth of metal and cable was recovered and 87 people arrested in the first two months of a police crackdown on metal thefts.

Gwent Police launched Operation Ignite in April in a bid to prevent an increasing number of metal thefts in the area.

Working alongside the police are the Department for Work and Pensions, the Environment Agency, DVLA, Trading Standards, VOSA, utility companies, local authorities and the British Transport Police.

Since the operation was launched there have been 87 arrests with 62 people charged with metal thefts, 86 crimes detected, 2,004 vehicles stopped and 502 people stopped and searched.

A total of 36 people were referred to the Department of Work and Pensions for benefits offences, eight scrap metal yards were issued with enforcement action and one scrap yard was closed down.

Officers seized more than £10,000 in cash plus 25 vehicles and recovered more than £50,000 worth of metal and cable and six stolen vehicles.

A total of 146 prohibition notices were issued along with 379 fixed penalty notices.

Chief Inspector Glyn Fernquest, who is leading the operation, said the results were encouraging He said: “The issue of metal theft remains a forcewide priority and we will continue keep up the pressure on those who are involved in this criminality.

“My message to those involved in metal theft is to expect a visit from Gwent Police sooner rather than later.”

Anyone with information about metal thefts should contact Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.