Cops hit scrap yards in metal theft crackdown

Police are visiting hundreds of scrap yards in a clampdown on metal theft from farms, homes and businesses.

Some 300 scrap yards across Wales will be inspected as part of Operation Tornado, said sergeant Andy Wiltshire, of Gwent Police.

“Itinerant metal collectors have to be registered but at the moment, many are not,” he told a rural crime conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Recent rules mean collectors also have to keep records of all the metal collected. If they suspect it is stolen, police have powers to seize metal that isn’t recorded.

“Only Wales is adopting this tactic,” sergeant Wiltshire told conference delegates in Kettering. “If you can’t prove where the goods have come from, we will seize the load.”

Gwent has seen a 45% reduction in metal theft within the force area since the tactic was adopted.

From 1 December, new rules mean dealers will not be able to pay cash to itinerant metal collectors. Metal dealers will require a license, with local councils responsible for vetting applications.

“Metal theft has been a huge problem for farmers, with the cost of replacing stolen equipment and the associated down time.”
PCSO Allan Mills

“At present time, a lot of itinerant metal collectors are acting illegally and we have no way to stop them,” said sergeant Wiltshire.

“A fresh approach will see police applying for restraining orders to stop itinerants collecting metal they fail to register or keep records.”

Police community support officer Allan Mills said it appeared a small number of people were responsible for committing most offences involving scrap metal in Gwent.

“Metal theft has been a huge problem for farmers, with the cost of replacing stolen equipment and the associated down time,” he said.

Recent trends had seen thieves target isolated rural premises, especially farms and smallholdings, during the evening or early hours of the morning.

Rural crime in Wales cost £2.3m in 2011, according to figures from rural insurer NFU Mutual.

The metal theft scheme had helped Gwent to achieve the best crime reduction results in England and Wales, said PCSO Mills

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