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The Topic: Infrastructure security INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY THE TOPIC 14 | 3RD - 9TH JUNE 2016 | UTILITY WEEK A lthough cybersecurity is a hot topic, especially with the growth in interconnected devices and the Internet of Things, the bedrock of a util- ity's business is its physical assets. These also have to be protected from the threats of the, vandalism and worse. This need is even more prominent when the assets contain relatively valuable materials such as copper. The challenge of deterring criminals is made all the more difficult because a significant number of these assets – including a vast number of the 400,000-plus electricity substations in the UK – are in remote loca- tions and therefore may appear to be easy targets. Changes to the scrap metal laws were introduced in England in 2013 (see box, le) and have helped reduce the number of thes. But thes, the damage to assets, and the problems this damage causes, are still big prob- lems. According to Home Office figures, metal the costs the UK £220 million a year, with utilities suffering to the tune of £60 million a year. Utility companies have adopted a number of meas- ures to counter this plague, alongside the introduction of the new scrap metal laws. In 2011, Scottish Power Energy Networks launched its "Copped It" campaign, which highlighted the dangers of metal the and offered rewards of up to £10,000 for information leading to a criminal conviction of someone stealing metal. One of the most obvious ways in which metal thieves are deterred is by on-site security, which most obviously "There is a need for continued adequate enforcement to be at the heart of ongoing efforts to tackle this crime. Any focus away from this could lead to a resurgence of metal theft impacting on livelihoods, vital supplies and risking lives." • ENA director of policy Tony Glover "The key challenge that affects security at utilities sites is that they are often isolated and located a considerable distance from one another, and therefore ensuring they are secure while providing an enhanced access control is essential." • Nick Dooley, managing director, Locken UK "Metal theft remains one of the biggest threats to the safety of the electricity network, and the impact of these crimes can be devastating." • Guy Jefferson, network operations director, SP Energy Networks Protecting physical assets As well as sophisticated cybercrime, utilities must also guard against ordinary vandalism and potentially dangerous metal theft. METAL THEFT IN NUMBERS In 2013/14, metal theft offences represented about 2 per cent of all theft offences. 40,680 metal theft offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in 2013/14. Infrastructure- related metal thefts fell by 41 per cent between 2012/13 and 2013/14 There were seven metal theft offences per 10,000 people in England and Wales in 2013/14. There were 16 metal theft offences per 10,000 in the North East, the highest rate in England and Wales. There were two metal theft offenc- es per 10,000 in London, the lowest rate in England and Wales. In 2013, the government introduced the Scrap Metal Dealers Act as part of a concerted effort to tackle the problem of metal theft across a number of sectors – including utilities. The act imposes tougher licensing laws on scrap metal traders and aims to make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen metal. One of the key reforms was banning traders from making cash transactions. The Scottish Government introduced similar legislation last year – the 2013 act only affected England and Wales – as part of its Air Weapons and Licensing (Scot- land) Bill. Since the act was introduced in 2013, Home Office research has shown a "dramatic drop" of a third in metal thefts between 2012/13 and 2013/14. THE SCRAP METAL DEALERS ACT 2013