Southwark calls on Cameron to speed up reforms to scrap metal industry following Hepworth theft

In a joint letter from Southwark's main political parties, the council urged the Prime Minister to put in place tough new regulations to end "unscrupulous practices" in the scrap metal trade after the borough's Barbara Hepworth's sculpture and life-size bronze statue of former MP Dr Alfred Salter were stolen.

It comes as the reward for information on the Hepworth sculpture theft increased from £1,000 to £5,000 after the Hepworth Estate pledged the extra cash in a bid to catch the thieves.  

The letter to the Prime Minister said: "We are writing to request urgent action to curb the dramatic increase in metal theft. Our borough's artistic and local heritage has been particularly hard hit in the last month following the theft of Barbara Hepworth's "Two Forms (Divided Circle)" and a memorial to local hero Dr Alfred Salter. 

"Two Forms was insured for £500,000, but its significance as a work of 20th century sculpture and value to our borough are impossible to put a price on.  

"It has stood in Dulwich Park since 1970 and, as an iconic piece of public art, served to beautify the park and contribute to the cultural heritage of the local area. Last month, a statue of leading social reformer and former MP for Bermondsey, Dr Alfred Salter, was stolen from Rotherhithe. 

"While we welcome the establishment by the Met Police of a special task force to investigate such thefts, we urge you to bring forward legislation as soon as possible to end unscrupulous practices in the scrap metal industry. 

"We believe there should be much tougher regulation of the industry including a ban on cash payments to sellers and a requirement that dealers keep a log of sellers' details. 

"As a council we have already offered a reward for information that will lead to the recovery of these sculptures. We are sure that you agree that we are all poorer for the loss of public art and hope that you will act as soon as possible."

The letter was signed by Peter John, Council Leader and Leader of Southwark's Labour group, Anood Al-Samerai, Leader of Southwark's Liberal Democrat group and Lewis Robinson, Leader of Southwark's Conservative group.

The council said it was currently carrying out a risk assessment of the 165 pieces of public art and sculpture in the borough.

New anti-theft measures could include CCTV to monitor more valuable works or temporarily placing them in storage until they can be made safe.  

The Hepworth sculpture disappeared after thieves broke into Dulwich Park on Monday (19th December), drove up to the statue and removed it from its plinth. 

The council had insured the piece for £500,000 although the price it could fetch as scrap metal would only be a tiny fraction of its value as a complete work. 

The Hepworth Estate today offered an extra £4,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves who stole the sculpture. 

Dr Sophie Bowness, the granddaughter of Barbara Hepworth and a trustee at the estate, said: "In support of Southwark Council's efforts to recover Barbara Hepworth's Two Forms (Divided Circle), the Hepworth Estate has offered to increase the reward for information to £5,000. 

"This is a much-loved and irreplaceable bronze, and its position in Dulwich Park is one that Barbara herself particularly admired when she saw it in 1970."

Last month (November), thieves stole the statue of early 20th century poverty champion Dr Alfred Salter from Rotherhithe. 

Two accompanying pieces depicting his daughter Joyce and her cat have since been removed by Southwark Council and placed in secure storage. 

Johanna Crawshaw, Dr Salter's great niece and last remaining relative, said she was "shocked" by the theft.  

Mrs Crawshaw, 57, said: "Although I never had the chance to meet Alfred as he sadly died nine years before I was born, I heard so many wonderful stories about him and the great work that he did in helping the poor in Southwark. 

"He was an inspiration to many people and a tireless campaigner against social injustice and so it's a great shame that thieves have taken his memorial." 

The council and Mrs Crawshaw have offered a joint reward of £2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the Salter statue thieves.