DORSET has one of the highest rates of metal theft in England and Wales, figures reveal.

The AA said metal theft, which includes the theft of valuable car parts, rises when household budgets are squeezed.

Office for National Statistics data shows Dorset Police recorded 543 metal theft offences in 2021-22, a rate of 7 offences per 10,000 people in the area.

This was up from 6 per 10,000 people the year before and a higher rate than almost anywhere else in England and Wales.

Of the thefts last year, 285 were infrastructure-related, which includes the stripping of metal such as roofing lead from buildings, taking electricity or railway cables, or stealing vehicle parts.

The remaining 258 were non-infrastructure related, which could involve stealing scrap metal or war memorial plaques.

Rates of metal theft fell from 2012-13, around the time the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, brought in to crack down on the trade in stolen metal, was introduced.

However, the Local Government Association said rates have since risen due to several factors, including a significant increase in metal prices.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “When there is a squeeze on household budgets, sadly crimes such as metal and car part theft rise.

"The two main reasons are the steady price in scrap metal values and thieves selling parts on the black market.

“While reputable scrap merchants uphold and implement the rules when it comes to selling metal, more needs to be done to tackle the yards willing to turn a blind eye when a big delivery comes in."

The AA called on the Government to recruit and train more police officers to deter thieves from stealing parts in the first place.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We recognise the impact that theft can have on victims and we want offenders charged and brought to justice in the courts.

“We are giving police the resources they need to keep us safe, including by recruiting 20,000 extra police officers and providing funding to the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership which ensures the police and law enforcement partners work together to tackle metal theft.”