PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed new figures which reveal that Government efforts to reduce metal theft are showing early signs of success.

Metal theft fell every quarter over the last year – and by 40per cent overall in 2012/13.

Mr Stephenson said: “Metal theft has a huge impact and costs the economy around £220m a year.

“This crime affects everyone – from the stealing of cables that delay your rail journey home, to the shocking theft of war memorials.

“That is why the Government has tightened the net around rogue sellers, and funded a new taskforce to crack down on metal theft.”