Scrap metal dealers are to install security measures after a spate of lead and copper thefts from churches, homes and businesses in the Forest.

The dealers have agreed to install CCTV and to request photo identification from customers selling scrap under a code of practice drawn up by the police and the district council.

There were 112 cases of metal theft in the Forest between November 2010 and April 2011, compared with 63 in the six months between May and October 2010.

In response the police, the council's environmental services department and scrap yard operators have been working together to make life more difficult for the offenders when they try and sell on their stolen goods.

Matt Kirby, the council's environmental protection officer, said: "Where a customer is unknown to the operator we are working to ensure that they request photo identification.

"The message is simple – no ID, no cash.

"This is about education as well as enforcement and we're helping the scrap dealers to operate to the high standards that the public expect. "Metal thieves affect everyone in our communities. They damage services infrastructure and push our insurance premiums up."

Police and council officers will be monitoring the scrap yards and scrap collectors to ensure that they are operating within the law. Those carrying waste and selling scrap as part of a business need to be registered.

"Many of the metal dealers are showing a great deal of cooperation and acting completely legally," said Inspector Rich Boyles.

"They're just as motivated as we are to root out the bad apples.

"However, there has been shoddy practice in some cases, with full names and addresses, as well as a description of the goods sold, not being recorded when metal is bought.

"This is simply not acceptable because it makes things easy for the thieves."