metal. In contrast, informal operators are active with or without scrap yards. While illegal facilities are taking in metals, many authorities apparently lack the ability or will to enforce existing laws. Developing countries also suffer from metal theft when public infrastructure is damaged. In developing countries, recycling is more often carried out by the informal sector, but it is still necessary to make a distinction between criminal enterprises and the informal operations. Metals vary greatly in value. Some call copper the new gold and wrongly point to Chinese demand or the international price of copper as the driver for metal theft. Iron manhole covers and lead roofs, however, are regularly stolen where in both cases these materials are a fraction of the value of copper or gold. Irrespective of government policies, where cashless or scrap purchase reporting have yet to prove their effectiveness, it is the owners of infrastructure who still need to find ways to improve the physical protection of the metal on railways, for power supply and in telephone systems. Fortunately new effective means to do so are currently being developed and deployed. Pol-PRIMETT Project The Pol-PRIMETT project in Europe is examining metal theft from, among other things, the transnational and organised crime viewpoint and has provided a forum to examine the drivers of theft. The project aims to improve collaboration between the private sector and law enforcement agencies and promotes good practice across the EU. It is comprised of representatives from the UK, Spain, Italy, Greece and