"Each day, thousands of train travellers suffer delays due to vital communication cable theft and schools and churches are regularly targeted.

“There is an urgent need to address the ancient Steptoe & Son legislation and bring it up to date.

“West Midlands Police has achieved much, however this needs to be rolled out across the force area and with more vigour and focus.”

War Memorials such as Barr Beacon, public buildings such as Perry Common Library in Kingstanding and church spires have also been stripped of metals, while train commuters have suffered hours of delays due to the thefts.

Mr Olley says the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 1964 is out of date and is calling for more technology to be used to record the sales and process.

He added, “Scrap dealers need to lawfully register before they can trade. We also need to introduce photographic evidence of each load purchased by dealers. This needs to include the load, van and driver.

“Traffic wardens do this when they issue a parking ticket.

“David Cameron has condemned the actions of the sickening thefts of War Memorials and now he needs to act.”

Mr Olley says he too was a victim of crime when he had lead stolen off his roof. Fortunately he spotted it early before the weather got in.

“This cost me about £300 to fix. The thief probably got a fiver for the metal,” he said.

West Midlands Royal Marine and George Cross-winning war hero Matt Croucher has backed Mr Olley’s crusade against the metal thefts.

“It’s beyond belief that war memorials become targets for thieves. They are sacred symbols of men and woman who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. I welcome Mike’s and anyone’s contribution to this issue. It’s action that we need to curb this rotten crime.”