Man arrested and £100,000 metal seized in north Shropshire
A man in his 50s was arrested and up to £100,000 of suspected stolen metal seized after police carried out a spot check on a scrapyard near Market Drayton as part of a crackdown on metal thefts across the county.
In the large-scale multi-agency Operation Ultraviolet today, officers from West Mercia Police and British Transport Police conducted a search at Pennill’s scrapyard near Hinstock.
Assisted by staff from BT, SmartWater, the Environment Agency and Shropshire Council’s licensing department, officers found large amounts of copper cabling, road signs, drain covers and other items they suspect may be stolen.
The total value of the property seized is estimated to be in the region of £100,000.
The man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, in connection with the alleged acquisition, use or possession of property which they could reasonably suspect was stolen.
He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Alongside the checks at the site, further officers carried out a roadside operation along the A41 in conjunction with Trading Standards, VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Several vehicles were stopped. One HGV driver was issued with a prohibition order for a defective tyre and a car was seized by police when it transpired the driver had no insurance.
Inspector Rik Klair said police would continue to ensure that those who stole metal had nowhere to go to sell on their ill-gotten gains.
“Much of our work also involves the education of scrap metal dealers, many of which run legitimate businesses, as to what items to look out for that are likely to be stolen,” he said.
“There is almost always a human cost to the theft of metal such as lead and copper, alongside the financial cost of repairs and replacements.
“You have children unable to go to school because the roof is leaking after a lead theft or the heating doesn’t work because the water tank has been stolen.
“When telephone cable is stolen, it leaves people without a phoneline, often for days while repairs are carried out.
“The theft of road signs and drain covers is highly dangerous, hugely increasing the risk of a serious collision. Cable stolen from the railways means trains can’t run.
“Enough is enough. Thieves are clearly selling their stolen goods somewhere, otherwise they wouldn’t still be stealing them, so we once more urge all scrap metal dealers to make sure there is nothing for us to find should we unexpectedly stop by.”
Operation Ultraviolet forms part of Operation Livewire, West Mercia Police’s ongoing campaign to target those stealing metal and those selling or buying it.
In addition to checks at scrapyards, police will be stopping any vehicle seen carrying scrap metal to ensure it has come from a legitimate source and that the occupants have the correct licence and insurance to operate as a waste carrier.
Those found stealing metal not only fail a criminal conviction but also having their vehicles seized and even crushed by police.
