Police Crack Down On Metal Theft In County Wide Day Of Action

Published: 4:11 PM November 12, 2009

Updated: 11:24 AM November 1, 2020

POLICE and partner agencies stopped vehicles and visited scrap yards across the county as part of a day of action against metal theft.The operation, which was part of a nationwide crackdown, took place yesterday (November 11) and involved police officers

POLICE and partner agencies stopped vehicles and visited scrap yards across the county as part of a day of action against metal theft.

The operation, which was part of a nationwide crackdown, took place yesterday (November 11) and involved police officers working with staff from local authorities, the Environment Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, BT, EDF Energy and Smartwater.

Officers gathered intelligence by carrying out more than 200 checks on vehicles - stopping 70 and seizing two - and visiting 13 scrap yards.

Three dealers were given words of advice regarding their record keeping and all were given crime prevention advice.

Inspector Dick Turner, the force lead on metal theft, said: "Although the number of metal thefts in the county is going down, this day of action demonstrates we are still fully committed to tackling it.

"A lot of intelligence was gathered on the day and we were able to reiterate to scrap dealers that they must take care over what they are buying and who from.