Six vehicles seized as part metal theft clampdown
Six vehicles were seized during a police operation in Shropshire this week as part of a national day of action targeting metal thefts.
The operation was carried out on the A5 at Nesscliff by West Mercia Police and partner organisations, including VOSA, Smartwater, HMRC, DVLA and Shropshire Council.
Two drivers had their vehicles seized for disqualified driving, two for having no valid licence, and a further two by Customs for red diesel. Four tickets were also given out for various offences.
As well as scrap metal collectors, other vehicles were stopped if they were identified through ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) as being of interest to the police, for example those which were shown as having no insurance or MOT, or were known to be used by criminals.
The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which was implemented on 1 October and is now being enforced, introduced a more rigorous licensing regime for scrap metal collectors, scrap metal sites and motor salvage operators, requiring them to apply for criminal records checks, and for a site or collectors licence.
Mobile collectors now have to be licensed in each of the local authorities covering the area where they collect, and display their collectors licence on their vehicle, as well as their waste carriers licence and appropriate insurance to carry waste products.
It also extends an existing ban on cash payments for scrap metal and requires anyone buying scrap metal to verify the identity of the seller.
Inspector Sarah Chaloner said: “The new record keeping requirements are very strict, but the aim is to protect the public.
“While responsible scrap metal collectors provide a legitimate service in taking away unwanted items, there are still too many unscrupulous collectors on our roads, effectively committing theft by removing items which are definitely not scrap and furthermore putting other road users in danger by overloading and driving badly maintained vehicles.
“We were very pleased with the results of these operations. More operations are planned and it is our intention that mobile collectors are left in no doubt they must either comply with the law or cease collecting.”
