A crackdown on metal thieves is expected this spring after the creation of a Government task force.

In the last two years soaring metal prices have been blamed for a spate of thefts of drain and manhole covers, copper cables, pipes and roof lead.

Schools, homes, roads, businesses and railways across Sussex have been hit by thefts of metal worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

In Brighton and Hove a spate of thefts of catalytic converters from vans was blamed on scrap thieves.

Until now police forces have dealt with the crimes on a patch-by-patch basis, with occasional involvement from national policing agencies.

This week Sussex Police welcomed a move by the Home Office to create a national metal theft crime unit to lead forces around the country in fighting the crime.

Inspector Jon Greetham at Lewes Police Station said thieves had been known to stash large amounts of metal in the countryside. In other cases they had shipped it overseas as freight. He said a good relationship between police and scrap metal merchants was an important part of combating the crime.

One of the latest examples of metal thefts took place in Crowborough, where radiators and a large amount of copper piping were taken from a house in Sefton Chase.

Kitchen, bathroom equipment and tools were also taken in the raid some time between Saturday December 27 and Tuesday December 30.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We welcome this commitment from the Home Office to assist police forces with tackling metal theft.

“Homes, churches, schools, business premises and public buildings are all targets of metal thefts due to the recent increase in the price of scrap.

“Members of the public who live around or near vulnerable buildings, such as churches and schools, should keep a lookout for any suspicious activity.

“If you see a crime in progress report it immediately by dialling 999.”

ben.parsons@theargus.co.uk