Two men were arrested on suspicion of stealing copper and manhole covers in Bradford as police launched a major crackdown on scrap metal theft.

Officers visited 78 scrap dealers across West Yorkshire yesterday, as part of a clampdown on metal theft which costs the industry £770 million a year.

Police searched units at Cooper Lane Industrial Estate, Bowling Back Lane depot, a unit at Black Dyke Mills and Dick Lane Metals.

They also inspected 12 waste carriers with scrap metal in and handed out two warnings.

The arrests were not related to the searches of businesses.

Acting Chief Inspector Darren Brown, of Bradford South’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “What we were doing was mainly educating and getting scrap metal dealers to work with the police and explained to them what their responsibilities are in terms of handling stolen property.

“We told them what they need to be looking out for.

“We encourage people in the community to pass us information about anyone they know or suspect of stealing scrap metal and we would say that yesterday was a great success.

“Scrap metal is very expensive at the moment with the price of a ton of copper in the region of £5,000, while lead is £1,300.

“We are not looking to persecute innocent traders, we are looking to provide help, support and guidance so they know what to look for and fully understand their responsibility.”