The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is cracking down on scrap metal theft.

Police say they've seen a spike in the number of scrap metal theft reports and suspect the increase is primarily due to the current economic situation.

Right now area police departments are working with scrap yards to catch thieves.

At Lewis Salvage Scrap Yard in Warsaw, workers are trained to report any item turned in for scrap that be suspicious and of high value.

They have security cameras that monitor all customers dropping off recyclables and state law requires photo ID for payment over one hundred dollars.

“They've taken the first steps with video and ID with the law and it really helps our job out,” says Sgt. Chad Hill from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Police are reminding people to secure valuable metal if it is outside if possible.