There has been a noticeable increase in the theft of trucks across the UK, it has been claimed, with demand for platinum group metals (pgms) thought to be one reason for the increase.

As the price of precious metals has grown significantly in recent times, the number of thieves willing to take trucks and sell on the scrap metal has also jumped noticeably, RoadTransport.com reports.

Platinum, palladium and rhodium used in the catalytic converters of trucks can be sold at a high price today thanks to the increase in metal prices and the continued demand for precious metals, particularly in the Chinese market.

The problem, which was first identified in Canada, has been seen as an emerging trend across a number of countries, including the US and, more recently, the UK.

"I wouldn't be surprised if lorries are being taken in this way, given their increasing residual value," a spokesman for Daf Trucks told RoadTransport.com.

Source:

Trucks being stolen for scrap value, 29/10/07
http://www.roadtransport.com/Articles/2007/10/29/128854/trucks-being-stolen-for-scrap-value.html

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