Significantly fewer metal theft offences were recorded in Surrey last year, new figures show.

Historic environment public body Historic England welcomed the decreasing number of metal theft offences, but warned there is still more work to be done.

New Home Office figures show Surrey Police recorded 269 metal theft offences in the year to March – down 62% from 714 the year before.

Meanwhile, police forces across England and Wales registered around 10,900 metal theft offences last year – a 64% drop on the previous year and the lowest figure since records began in 2013.

Metal thefts have risen each year since 2018-19 and hit a record-high in 2022-23 with nearly 30,000 offences recorded, which the Home Office said resulted from an increase in catalytic converter thefts and a better recording system.

The Home Office said the substantial fall in the number of metal thefts last year "may reflect police campaigns to target metal theft and raise awareness among vehicle owners on deterrents, such as the use of forensic marking".

Mark Harrison, head of heritage crime at Historic England, welcomed the fall in the number of metal thefts but cautioned "there is still much work to be done".

Mr Harrison said: "This crime often takes place on historic buildings like churches and can have a devastating effect on the local communities who use and cherish these special places, as well as robbing us of our collective history."

He called for the implementation of "innovative methods of preventing and detecting metal theft", including improved recording of metal theft offences and enhanced training of police officers and scrap metal services.

Of all metal theft offences recorded in Surrey last year, 56 were infrastructure-related – which includes stripping of metal such as roofing lead from buildings, taking electricity or railway cables, or stealing vehicle parts.

A further 213 were non-infrastructure related, involving scrap metal theft or the removal of war memorial plaques.

Across England and Wales, the number of infrastructure-related metal thefts dropped by 77% last year, while non-infrastructure related offences fell by 41%.

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson said "metal theft has a damaging impact on individuals, businesses and communities", and added adapted training has enabled forces and enforcement bodies to better prevent metal thefts.

They said: "We have made significant progress in identifying and disrupting organised crime groups who are so often the perpetrators, with many receiving significant custodial sentences.

"As the figures show, swift and robust action has an impact in driving down this crime and we continue working hard to ensure thieves have nowhere to hide."

A Home Office spokesperson praised the work undertaken by police forces across England and Wales to tackle metal theft and protect communities.

They added: "We will continue to work closely on this issue over the coming year as part of our renewed focus on the crimes affecting local neighbourhoods."