In the UK? There are no jobs here mate. not even in retail.

The soulless junkie is not likely to be organised enough to operate in the gangs that drive around in trucks and vans and "pull" scrap metal and drive to scrap yards to sell.

The market price of scrap aluminium and copper has risen exponentially in the last 5 years. It doubled between 2003 to 2006. (thanks China) Getting the dealers to stop buying the stolen stuff is a better way to stop the practice.