59 scrap metal dealers join fight against metal thieves

Operation Alloy postcard

Fifty-nine scrap metal dealers across the county joined forces with Greater Manchester Police yesterday (9 May 2012) to combat metal theft by signing up to a new scheme that requires anyone selling scrap metals to provide photo ID.

The initiative has been introduced by Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Alloy team that was set up nine months ago to stem an increase in metal theft.

So far high impact raids on suspected scrap yards and roadside operations targeting vehicles being used to transport stolen metals have helped reduce this crime by half but officers are keen to keep the pressure on metal thieves and reduce it further.

This level of enforcement to disrupt criminal activity continued yesterday with roadside operations stopping 229 vehicles. This resulted in 11 vehicles being seized for insurance related and other offences and 103 Fixed Penalty Notices being issued.

Officers are keen to reinforce these robust policing tactics with partnership work with scrap metal dealers to close down opportunities for thieves to profit from crime. They have urged dealers to adopt the new scheme that will require anyone offering scrap metal for sale to provide photo identification that could include a photo card driving licence, passport or national ID card supported by a recent utility bill that includes their address.

Officers say that this will make it harder for metal thieves to off load stolen goods and help them track suspect materials. It will also help safeguard scrap dealers from becoming involved in illegal activity.

The scheme was also adopted yesterday by the other four police force areas in the north west and follows on from the success of similar schemes introduced by British Transport Police in other parts of the country.

Superintendent Craig Thompson who is leading GMP’s fight against metal theft said: “Under Operation Alloy we have been targeting metal theft at a number of levels that include arresting metal thieves and taking action against scrap dealers who support them by turning a blind eye and failing to keep complete records of transactions.

“We have also been targeting criminal activity associated with metal theft that includes benefit fraud, using unlicensed, untaxed and unroadworthy vehicles and flouting health and safety regulations.

“However we do accept that most scrap dealers want to earn an honest living and have been helping them to adopt work practices that will prevent them supporting crime.

“This ID scheme is one such example. It is fair to say that we would seriously question why an honest scrap dealer would not want to sign up and also that we will be monitoring participants to ensure that they are complying with the agreement.

“Metal theft causes physical, emotional and financial pain to ordinary law-abiding citizens and we are determined to stamp it out.

“People can help by making their homes and business premises less vulnerable to thieves by using security lights, alarms, fencing and stout locks on gates, doors and windows and joining Homewatch and Businesswatch schemes.

“They can also help us by providing information about suspicious activity either directly to us on 101 the new single non emergency number or anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”