Operation Alloy day of action results

Greater Manchester Police’s forcewide day of action today (28 October) to tackle metal theft and bring thieves to justice has resulted in raids on 27 scrap yards and 11 arrests.

This latest clampdown was part of a national day of action and continues the work of Operation Alloy, Greater Manchester Police’s response to increasing metal thefts.

Today’s operation saw more than 100 specialist operations and neighbourhood policing officers raiding 27 scrap yards to search for stolen metals.

They were supported by engineers and staff from a dozen partner agencies including telecoms, electricity, water, rail and tram companies, the Environment Agency, Department for Works and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs.

Six arrests were made for metal theft, two for driving off without paying for fuel and one each for drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and immigration offences.

Roadside operations targeting illegal transport of metal and other materials saw checks on 253 vehicles resulting in 18 vehicles being seized for insurance related and other offences.

Other offences led to 35 Fixed Penalty Notices, three prohibitions on vehicles and 19 summons offences being served.

The Department for Works and Pensions took 29 actions for benefit frauds and the Environment Agency served three enforcement notices. HM Revenue and Customs seized six vehicles for using red diesel.

268 kg of BT copper cable was recovered from two scrap yards in Weaste, Salford and Hulme, Manchester. This had a scrap value of less than £1,000 but engineers estimate that the cost of reinstatement of this cable would be in excess of £10k. Cable belonging to Virgin Telecoms with a value of £370 was also recovered.

Superintendent Craig Thompson who headed this Operation Alloy day of action said: “After today’s raids metal thieves will be in no doubt that we are serious about bringing them to justice for the misery they have been spreading across our county.
“We will over the coming months continue to target them and the scrap yards that help them profit from their crimes by accepting stolen goods.

“We will also be working with scrap yard owners to encourage them to adopt work practices that make it harder for offenders to off load stolen metals on them.

“Through working with our partners in the utilities and transport industries and a range of government agencies we have brought 11 offenders to justice and disrupted a wide range of criminal activity.

“I would urge people to help us fight metal theft by making their homes, businesses and community buildings less vulnerable to thieves by using security lights, fencing, alarms and good locks to keep thieves at bay.

“They can also help us by providing information about suspicious activity either directly to us on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”