Do you remember the time scrap metal buyers and dealers used to charge you to take away your crap scrap? (I’m thinking more along the lines of scrap car dealers to be fair, but one did tell me a few years ago (’95) when prices weren’t quite as keen as they are today that it was scrap metal prices being so low that was the stumbling block – then again, I’m a bit of a dolt.)

The Guardian manages to point a crooked finger in China’s direction while claiming:

The police believe illegal metal trading costs the UK economy almost £360m every year. Lead from church roofs, drain covers, railway signaling cable, Henry Moore sculptures, bronze plaques have all been stolen.

Between January 1 and April 16 this year, British Transport police recorded 637 metal theft offences and arrested 153 people. A two-day crackdown targeting illegal scrap metal trading and involving 38 police forces is currently under way.

A crackdown on illegal scrap metal trading in a burgeoning black market worth £360m a year?

Well it obviously wasn’t that much when I couldn’t part with a clapped-out Renault van without paying somebody for the privilege.

But enough of me bitterly whining about being unable to get fifty quid for some old banger; it appears East Lancashire, and Colne especially, are one of the current illegal scrap metal dealing epicenters of the UK. As the LET reports:

* Copper wiring has been stolen from the Royal Blackburn Hospital causing power failures.

* In Darwen thieves stole a 12ft gate, a 20ft car park barrier pole and a cattle grid.

* In Colne businesses and schools have been targeted with scrap metal raiders stealing lead from their roofs. Flashing and water-proofing has also been taken.

* In one of the most audacious incidents a gang of thieves diced with death by cutting down poles carrying 11,000-volt electricity cables in the hunt for scrap metal near Pendle Water in Brierfield.

At least some council high-up puts it all into perspective:

County Coun Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “I am amazed that anyone has the brass neck to go out and brazenly steal public property in this way.”

Doreen, you wag….