A new campaign to deal with the serious problem of metal theft has been launched by Crimestoppers.

Metal theft affects large numbers of businesses and communities across Ireland and incidents include the theft of electricity cables, copper wires, beer kegs, white electrical goods, road signs, letter boxes and goal posts. In recent years Ireland's electricity network, public transport and telecommunications networks have all been victims of metal theft, with gangs of organised criminals removing significant amounts of electrical cable, signal cable and copper wire.

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ESB Networks, Irish Rail, Eircom, Diageo, An Post and WEEE Ireland are some of the Irish businesses affected by this problem.

Jointly organised by Crimestoppers, an Garda Síochána and ESB Networks the campaign is calling on members of the public and in particular those in the farming community with overhead power lines on their land to be vigilant for suspicious activity and to come forward with information. Information can be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers confidential telephone service by calling 1800 25 00 25. Alternatively, information can be provided to your local Garda station or ESB Networks on 1850 372 999.

(CD/LM)