The fight against metal theft continues

The fight against metal theft continues

More than 100 officers are taking part in Operation Alloy, a force-wide, high profile operation to disrupt motorists suspected of transporting stolen metal, driving without tax or insurance or using the roads to commit criminality.

Also as part of this operation, officers will be using new legislation drivers could immediately have their licenses revoked if they fail a roadside eye check and officers feels that road safety is compromised.

Previous operations have seen police raid scrap yards but today’s activity focuses specifically on road users suspected of travelling to and from scrap yards or using the road illegally.

In the last day of action, police seized 27 vehicles for road tax, MOT or insurance offences. Traffic Offence Reports were made on 241 drivers for dangerous driving and 428 drivers were caught speeding.

Operation Alloy was set up in 2011 in response to an increase in the theft of metal and has in the last year helped reduce it by more than 60 per cent. It involves divisional and specialist operations officers as well partners from the utility, telecoms and transport networks.

Superintendent Craig Thompson who leads Operation Alloy for GMP said: “We have shown metal thieves just how serious we are in clamping down on this type of crime and the last year has seen significant reductions.

“We not only target scrap yards, but also those involved in transporting stolen metal on the road networks and we will use new legislation regarding eye tests as an additional tool to disrupt drivers and ensure they are complying with the law.

“Metal theft continues to be an issue in Greater Manchester and the message to anybody committing metal theft is to stop. From opportunist thieves who steal small amounts of metal, to organised crime groups who run sophisticated operations on a much larger scale, it is only a matter of time before we catch you.”