Copper thefts have reached an all-time high and pose such a threat to Britain's infrastructure that it is targeted as the second highest priority after terrorism, police have said. A Network Rail spokesman added that measures taken to prevent the robberies included remote movement CCTV. He remarked the crime wave is the worst it has ever been, and added: "We want compulsory registration for scrap dealers and the police to be given the power to close scrap yards using stolen material."