Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to prevent metal thefts from (a) communications and transport networks and (b) heritage sites.

We recognise the harmful impact that metal thefts can have on victims and wider communities including through interfering with strategic frameworks and heritage sites. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 has helped to reduce levels of metal thefts since its introduction and we will continue to work with the police and other partners through the National Metal Theft Working Group to monitor the operation and impact of the legislation.