Police target metal theft

Police targeted illegal vehicles as part of a national day of action to target metal theft.

During the day police stopped 24 vehicles and issued £3,800 of fines to drivers found to be flouting the law.

Two vehicles were seized for no insurance and a further four were immediately prohibited for defects.

Nineteen motorists received fixed penalty notices for overweight offences and officers also issued two traffic offence reports.

A further two drivers were summoned for no insurance.

Operation Alloy was launched in 2011 to deal with an increase in metal theft. Police have worked alongside the scrap metal industry and local authorities to target offenders and this has led to a reduction in this type of crime.

Superintendent Craig Thompson from the Operation Alloy team said: “Operation Alloy has seen some massive reductions in metal theft and as days like this show, we are committed to continuing our battle against this type of crime.

“Metal theft is far from being a victimless crime and it is our local communities that feel the effect of it. We’ve come a long way since the launch of the operation and will continue to disrupt offenders using every tool at our disposal.

“Help us in our fight against these criminals, please report unlicensed scrap dealers or metal collectors to police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”