Above: Grenada (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

With reports of increased theft of copper cables from homes in Grenada and removal of copper pots and cannons from cultural heritage sites, the country’s government is seeking to find a solution.

Officials in Grenada’s Ministry of the Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development are meeting this week with dealers and exporters in the scrap metal trade to discuss the issues.

That comes after a meeting with representatives from the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority and Customs and Excise Department.

The Ministry said the legal export of scrap metal to neighbouring countries in the region has increased in recent years, and noted that scrap metal can help “clean up” the environment of unwanted and bulky metallic materials.

But with an increased incidence of theft, and a growing demand for metals like copper, officials say both public safety and cultural heritage are under threat.

Those reports also include the theft of road signs, manholes and even church bells.

Grenada’s Ministry has been encouraging the public to be vigilant and report incidents to the Royal Grenada Police Force.

It’s not clear whether the government is considering ban on the scrap metal trade, a decision Jamaica’s government took in 2011 to an attempt to remedy a similar problem.