Polymer Metal Roofing & Operation Haddock - Theftproof Lead & Copper Alternatives

This week saw the launch in the Tees Valley of Operation Haddock, an integrated effort by several bodies including Licensing, Trading Standards and Civic Enforcement staff from Middlesborough, Darlington, Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar & Cleveland, to crack down on those profiting from scrap metal theft, including from lead & copper roofs. They join forces with Police from Cleveland & Durham Special Operations Unit, the Department for Work & Pensions, and the Driver & Vehicle Standards Authority to create one multi-agency team to ensure all scrap metal in the area is accounted for and those handling it are licensed to do so.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 2013 means any dealers or businesses buying or selling scrap metal (whether in premises or door-to-door) are legally required to be licensed by the local authority. Despite this, the problem of metal theft has not gone away. According to a recent article in the Northern Echo, the North Yorkshire based morning newspaper, Chief Inspector Graeme Milne from Cleveland & Durham Special Operations Unit said, "Metal theft is an issue for our communities, it affects individuals and businesses... There are a number of criminals who are still prepared to take risks to steal metal... We would encourage homeowners not to make things easy for thieves: don't leave metal items like bikes or garden equipment insecure, keep an eye on any unoccupied property where you live and report anything suspicious."

Of course a roof is a little harder to steal than a bike left lying around, but it can also be worth a great deal more, especially if it's lead or copper.

So, what can you do?

Well, if your roof is in good condition and you aren't currently looking to replace it, you might consider "fingerprinting" the metal - coating the entire area with a coded liquid identifying your roof as the origin of the metal (see SmartWater Roofing). This can help police identify stolen copper or lead (or any metal, including detailing and flashings), as well as helping to deter burglars in the first place.

However, if your roof does need replacement, either because of age or because some or all of it has been stolen, many people are now turning to alternatives to lead and copper, in particular to the polymer system because of its high performance, affordability & flexibility. We give a rundown of some of the alternatives on this website (see our page on copper alternatives or take a look at our dedicated copper and lead sections for details about everything from insurance issues to lifespans, costs and advice, to photo portfolios of previous work we've done UK wide). However, in our very long and varied experience, the polymer roofing system is exceptional in its ability to mimic the traditional look of metal and copper, without any of the issues.

To find out more, simply follow the links around the site or, if you have any questions or want to discuss your roof with an experienced, knowledgeable roofer, simply call on 07855 535581 or drop us an email. We aim to reply to all emails within 24 hrs, never chase or hassle you and never pass on your details to anyone else.