Police continue battle to bang up metal thieves

Operation Alloy

Greater Manchester Police made nine arrests and unannounced searches of 46 scrap metal dealers last week (12-16 December) under Operation Alloy - the Force’s clampdown on metal thieves in the county.

GMP officers also supported colleagues in Merseyside Police, British Transport Police and Ports Police in a joint operation last Friday (16 December) targeting four scrap dealers around Liverpool Docks that resulted in a further four arrests and the recovery of 12 tonnes of BT cable.

Divisional police officers across Greater Manchester are now making weekly visits to local scrap yards that they believe may be actively helping offenders off-load stolen metals or are allowing this to happen through lax business practices.

Officers are also working with owners to introduce robust work and recording practices that will help police identify metal thieves and bring them to justice.

Superintendent Craig Thompson who is leading Operation Alloy said: “Much has been made in the media of metal thieves targeting electric and telecoms cabling and metal from the rail and tram infrastructures.

“What is less well known is that around a half of all metal thefts target ordinary people in their homes by stealing copper piping and boilers from heating systems and lead from roofs. These crimes cause misery and hardship for often vulnerable people and are particularly distressing in these cold winter months.

“Over the last few months we have made dozens of arrests and targeted metal thieves in scrap yards, on the roads as they transport stolen metals and in the communities where they operate.

“We will continue to do this into the New Year and would like people to help us put metal thieves behind bars by reporting suspicious behaviour either directly to us on 101 the new national non-emergency police number or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”