Dive Brief:

• The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has formed a group of law enforcement personnel — including officers, prosecutors, and security — who will be working to combat metal theft. 
• The group will create an advanced and comprehensive approach to criminal activity involving metal theft, and will increase efforts to help law enforcement.
• Reports of stolen materials have prompted the industry to increase measures taken to thwart criminal activity involving metal scrap. Thieves have stolen catalytic converters, copper wire from railroad tracks and metal scrap from recycling yards.

Dive Insight:

"The recycling industry has long been on the front lines as part of the solution to metals theft, working closely with local law enforcement and prosecutors to deter crime and creating a nationwide scrap theft reporting system to help in the investigation and capture of thieves," said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI.

This isn't the first time the ISRI has taken action. When increased thefts were occurring in scrap yards, the industry upgraded its Scrap Alert System.