Man arrested following theft of scrap metal in Shrewsbury

Officers received a report that a blue van had been seen acting suspiciously at the rear of The Saddlers in Whitecroft Road at about 1.40pm on Sunday.

When its occupant was disturbed by staff, the vehicle drove off and items of scrap metal were found to be missing from the yard.

A police search traced the van, a blue LDV tipper truck, to nearby Sutton Way less than 15 minutes later, where it was stopped by officers.

A search of the vehicle revealed items believed to have been stolen from the pub, along with several other items of scrap metal for which police are working to trace the owners.

The driver of the van, who is from the Wolverhampton area, was arrested on suspicion of theft and interviewed at Shrewsbury Police Station. He has since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The vehicle and its contents were seized by police for forensic examination.

Operation Livewire is an ongoing West Mercia Police campaign to tackle the increasing theft of metal such as copper, lead, steel and cast iron, the worldwide value of which has risen in recent years.

Regular spot checks are made on vehicles seen carrying scrap, along with their occupants, and at scrap metal merchants across the county to minimise the chance of stolen goods being sold on.

In addition, any scrap collectors found not in possession of the correct licence and insurance to operate are reported to the Environment Agency and face having their vehicles seized.