Metal thieves have carried out more than 1200 raids on electricity substations in Scotland in the last four years.

Each attack costs thousands of pounds in repair bills but the crimes also have an impact with the loss of power supply to homes and businesses, as well as causing major safety risks to both the public and the perpetrators.

A man was fatally electrocuted in 2013 when he made contact with 11kV equipment at the transformer in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, in an attempt to steal copper earthing.

There have been 1212 substation raids in Scotland since 2011, which have contributed to a bill for £18m across the UK, which includes repairs and extra security.

The raids have resulted in three fatalities and there have been more than 20 arrests, with a constant risk of injury to the public and staff.

Scottish churches have also found themselves a victim as thieves look to steal lead copper roof coverings and pipes.

The figures were revealed ahead of a metal theft summit taking place in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, on Tuesday.

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), the Scottish Government’s business resilience delivery arm, planned the summit to bring together industry experts and enforcement agencies to highlight the damaging impact that metal theft has across all Scottish businesses and communities.

It comes as the Scottish Government announced key legislation which prohibits scrap metal dealers from accepting cash payments and forces them to identify sellers in a bid to better regulate the trade of scrap metal will come into force in September.

Chief superintendent John McBride, of the British Transport Police, said: "We will continue to work closely with the industry and a wide range of partners to ensure the affect of the new legislation is communicated and understood.

"While we have seen a welcome decrease in the number of incidents from a high of several years ago, metal theft continues to disrupt and inconvenience industry and the public as well as being costly to rectify."

Eddie Mulholland, SP Energy Networks district manager, said: "Metal theft from the electricity network continues to put lives at risk, and threaten the safety of communities.

"It beggars belief that criminals continue to dice with death for a few pounds worth of scrap metal. What is more concerning is their complete disregard for the power cuts they have caused and the house fires they have started.

"We support all efforts to stop these selfish criminals, and restrict their ability to sell stolen metal."

Jim Scott, metal theft and business resilience lead at SBRC, said: "This metal theft summit will bring together key voices and leaders on a crime which continues to severely harm businesses and wreak havoc in communities.

"The shock findings from SP Energy Networks illustrate the massive impact that metal theft can cause – as well as the risk to human life.

"As part of our drive to tackle metal theft, we must look to improve reporting and vigilance, as well as raise awareness of the responsibilities faced by those who trade in scrap metal, especially in the lead up to the legislation changes.

"By ensuring scrap metal dealers no longer accept cash payments, along with measures to record and verify the identity of people selling metal, it will provide greater traceability and curb the potential for criminal behaviour."