BURGLARS cut through a fence at a scrap dealer in Derby and stole "a substantial amount of metal."
Raiders targeted Metallon, in Shaftesbury Street, Pear Tree, overnight between Friday and Saturday.
Staff noticed the break-in when they arrived at work to open up at 8am.
A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: "Whoever is responsible has cut through the fence before breaking into the building.
"A substantial amount of copper, brass and other metal has been stolen and we believe a vehicle would have been needed to take it away."
Anyone with information should call the police on 101.
