Decisive action is needed to tackle metal theft as the crime reaches epidemic proportions and increasingly puts both lives and livelihoods at risk.

Speaking following an ACPO-led day of action on October 28, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said moves are now needed to bring the situation under control.

Ms Cooper accused the government of being far too slow to act, asserting that a much tougher licensing regime was now needed for scrap metal dealers.

The Shadow Home Secretary said: "Metal theft is becoming an epidemic and urgent action is needed from the Home Office to stop this getting out of control.

"It is still too easy to trade stolen metal. We need a much tougher licensing regime for dealers, including requiring people selling to scrap metal dealers to prove their identity, and stronger powers for the police to investigate.

"When cases are becoming increasingly serious, the Home Office shouldn't turn a blind eye or just leave it to the police," she added. "We need action."

The day of action saw police forces across Britain coming together with a co-ordinated programme that saw several suspects targeted and search warrants executed.

Officers also visited scrap metal dealers to give advice about the theft problem in addition to advising businesses of ways of keeping themselves secure.

As well as causing disruption – particularly with the theft of copper wire from railways – it is reckoned that ten people have died this year as a result of metal being taken.

ACPO lead on metal theft DCC Paul Crowther, confirmed senior officers were talking to the government about introducing moves to block unlawful trade.

He said: "A key part of our strategy is to choke off the market for stolen metal.

"We are talking to government about stricter controls and legislative changes to make life much more difficult for thieves and unscrupulous scrap metal dealers.

"Currently, there are still many criminals prepared to take risks to steal metal."

DCC Crowther added: "Our work with scrap metal recyclers – working with the British Metals Recycling Association to bring in a voluntary code of conduct – is making life more difficult for thieves, but there is more we need to do."

Lord Henley, Home Office Minister for Crime Prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction said the government is taking the problem seriously.

He emphasised: "We want to make it harder to for criminals to steal metal in the first place and we're looking at whether we need to change the law."