There are many reasons why trains from Ipswich are delayed so often. Problems with Network Rail and the operation of the train companies obviously loom large. But one reason, which is becoming increasingly common, is that of signalling cable thefts. British Transport Police now rank metal theft as their second highest priority after fighting terrorism.

And it’s not just railways that are affected. Among other things criminals have stolen are: church roofs, war memorials, works of art and manhole covers. In Ipswich, the slide in Gippeswyk Park has been a high profile victim. The police recorded over 60,000 metal thefts nationally last year.

This is a hugely disruptive and expensive crime. It is estimated to cost the economy around £770 million every year. And because of the nature of what is stolen, tax-payers are the ones who have to pick up the majority of the bill.

It is the high price of scrap metal – pushed up by demand from China – that is fuelling these crimes. But the crime is only worth committing if someone is willing to pay the criminal to take the metal off their hands.

One obvious “someone” is the rogue scrap metal merchants who are prepared to take any metal, no questions asked, and pay cash-in-hand with no records made. This is an obvious area to look at. If we can reduce the number of people willing to pay for stolen scrap metal, there will be less incentive to steal it in the first place.

At the time of writing Labour MP Graham Jones is trying to take a Bill through Parliament to reform the outdated regulations surrounding Scrap Metal Dealers. It really is vital that this Bill is passed.