Due to high commodity prices metal theft is afflicting numerous industries, with many property managers and landlords finding their buildings targeted, particularly in the rail, construction and telecoms industries. Inevitably metal stockholders are being significantly affected. D J P A Pennill, a metal recycling site in Market Drayton, Shropshire that processes steel and copper, found itself under pressure from the Police to better protect their premises or face the possibility of being forced out of business in the battle against organised metal crime.

Chubb Fire Security has designed and installed a sophisticated CCTV surveillance and detection system at the metal recycling site to help prevent the theft of valuable non-ferrous metals.

After consultation with local Police officers, the solution offered by Chubb included a dual camera with infrared capability that also uses ANPR (Automatic Number-Plate Recognition) to help identify vehicles and drivers that enter the premises. Data is stored on a central digital recording system, enabling both the site owner and the Police to quickly access and review footage in the event of an incident.

Chubb has also installed a further five cameras: one to cover the metal weighing scales; a second that is mobile and can be moved depending on the requirements; and three others for general site surveillance. The cameras all have an infrared capability enabling them to operate 24/7. The site operator Dave Pennill also has a facility to view camera footage from his own home in the event of an alarm being triggered.

Dave says that he has been entirely satisfied with the work carried out by Chubb, and by the professionalism exemplified by its staff: “The installation went very smoothly and since then, the equipment has been performing with equal success. Hopefully this bespoke system will prove to be the solution to our theft problems.”

Neil Geens, Sales Manager for Chubb Fire Security, says that soaring levels of metal theft are inevitably hitting dealers particularly hard: “In some instances, thieves have even attempted to sell the same metal back to the yard that the materials were stolen from.

“It is essential that dealers, and indeed all property managers whose buildings contain metal, protect their assets from this growing form of theft,” he says. “Investing in an effective security system will both deter thieves and also help apprehend those who remain undeterred.”