Police re-launch Operation Livewire in crackdown on scrap metal theft
Scrap metal merchants across Shropshire were today urged by police to ensure their “houses were in order” as officers launch a fresh crackdown on metal thefts.
Although the vast majority of scrap dealers run a legitimate business, metal thieves are managing to sell-on their ill-gotten gains and police will be carrying out a series of spot checks on yards throughout the county.
Working closely with the Environment Agency, which is responsible for ensuring both those collecting scrap and those buying it have the correct licences and insurance, and other agencies including the council and security marking firm SmartWater, police aim to give thieves nowhere to go with their stolen metal.
Today police attended one scrapyard in the Shrewsbury area and executed a warrant in conjunction with officers from West Midlands Police.
A second linked warrant was executed at another premises connected with the business in a nearby village.
A man in his 40s was arrested at the scrapyard by West Mercia officers on suspicion of theft.
A second man in his 60s was arrested by West Midlands officers at the second address in connection with an investigation into the theft of metal from the Kingswinford area.
Both will be interviewed at Shrewsbury Police Station later today.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said both the police and law-abiding citizens in Shropshire had “had enough” of the misery people stealing metals such as lead and copper were causing.
“Enough is enough and we are not prepared to tolerate those people nicking lead off roofs or copper from heating systems, stopping our children going to school or congregations attending church because of leaks and other damage,” he said.
“These people are selling the stuff on somewhere so in addition to stopping any vehicle we see carrying scrap to make sure it has the correct licence and insurance, we will be making regular stop checks at scrap metal merchants across the county.
“The vast majority of these businesses are well run and honest but the metal is being sold somewhere and it is those people we want to weed out.
“My message to scrapyard owners is to make sure your house is in order if it isn’t already, so if we come calling, you don’t find yourselves under arrest for handling stolen goods.”
Police work closely with SmartWater, a company that produces a security marking product with a unique code that works like DNA. It glows under an ultra-violet light and can trace any stolen item back to its owner.
All cable from companies such as BT, Severn Trent Water, Network Rail and Eon is marked with the product and staff from SmartWater will accompany police on checks.
Sergeant Julie Shephard, from Shrewsbury’s Local Policing Unit, said anyone who noticed persons tampering with any kind of metal, be it copper cabling or piping, lead on roofs and windows, road signs or drain covers, to contact police on 0300 333 3000.
“Even if the person or people look official and especially if it is at night, although metal thieves will also strike during the day, we would rather check a person is genuine than deal with a theft further down the line,” she said.
“Contact police on 0300 333 3000 or let a member of your Local Policing team know. If you see a vehicle carrying scrap that looks suspicious or makes you look twice, give us a call.”
In addition to visits to scrap dealers, Operation Livewire will also see vehicles transporting metal stopped and its occupants checked for the relevant licence and insurance.
Security advice leaflets are also being handed out to those people with vulnerable premises or vehicles, with hints and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
