Shropshire lawyer advises scrap dealers to pay by cheque
A leading Shropshire and North Wales law firm issued advice to scrap metal merchants today following reports of a sharp rise in metal theft in the region.
Criminal defence lawyers at GHP Legal say dealers should only make payments for scrap metal by cheque, unless they want to risk finding themselves in the Criminal Courts accused of being involved in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal.
Speaking from the GHP Legal office in Oswestry, Senior Solicitor Euros Jones said: “Due to the current economic crisis and high prices being paid for scrap metal, thefts are now taking place across the region on a daily basis. In fact it is a nationwide problem and, as a result, the scrap metal industry undergoing a major overhaul.
“The government has already announced that fixed fine penalties for non-compliance with industry regulations are to be increased and it will become a criminal offence for dealers to make cash payments for the purchase of scrap metal. To protect themselves bone fide dealers should ensure they make payments only by cheque.
“Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 scrap metal dealers must be registered with their local authority and are obliged to keep records of all transactions relating to scrap metal that is both received and processed, including details of the source. With this in mind dealers would be wise to request proof of identity from the seller and keep copies of the relevant documents in their files.”
