There is a lucrative market now in the scrap metal business which might be fueling the theft of cable wires and scrap iron locally, according to the police.

"There have been at least 30 thefts since the start of this year alone, with nine taking place over the past five days," disclosed Howard Mollison, vice-president of customer support at Cable and Wireless Jamaica.

Mr. Mollison told The Gleaner that the thefts have been islandwide, affecting a number of customers and costing the company $51 million in repairs over the past year.

Scrap iron was also stolen from the old railway station, located on Pechon Street, downtown Kingston.

second reported theft

According to Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, head of the Kingston West police division: "This is the second reported theft of this nature in the Corporate Area since the start of the year."

He said the scrap iron business was a thriving one in the Corporate Area, adding that investigations into the thefts were underway.

The sale of scrap metal was reportedly started by Irving Mitchell, an expatriate entrepreneur in the 1950s.

The business was recently credited by Jean Smith, general manager of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA), as a significant reason for the marked increase in non-traditional exports. However, Mr. Mollison believes that much of the stolen cables are being filtered into this market

"I understand that it is a lucrative market," stated Inspector Victor Henry, operations manager of the Constabulary Communication Network. "However, it is the duty of the purchaser to inform the police of anything unusual that comes to them for purchasing."

He said the scrap iron business was a thriving one in the Corporate Area, adding that investigations into the thefts were under way.