New powers to crack down on South Tyneside metal thieves

EDGWARE (Scrap Monster): The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 gives councils and police new powers to inspect scrap metal premises where they suspect illegal activity.

Scrap metal dealers could be prosecuted if they are not properly licensed, or fail to keep records of where they have collected.

The move aims to reduce incidents of scrap metal theft, which is estimated to cost the UK economy about £770m each year.

Coun Neil Maxwell, chairman of the East Shields and Whitburn community area forum, said: “Metal theft has a huge impact on local communities.

“It causes misery for thousands of people as a result of disrupted rail services or damage to power supplies, not to mention the vandalism to cars and community buildings, factories and construction sites.

“These new laws demand greater awareness and responsibility among scrap metal traders as they have to verify who they are doing business with, but they also make it easier for councils and the police to stamp out this type of criminal activity.

The East Shields and Whitburn forum will get an update on the new powers on Thursday when it meets at 6pm, in St Gregory’s Church hall, St Gregory’s Court, South Shields.

The issue will also be raised at the Jarrow and Boldon community area forum at 10am on Thursday at Jarrow Town Hall.

Jarrow and Boldon CAF chairman, Coun Jim Perry, said: “The theft of scrap metal is a crime that affects everyone. The majority of scrap metal is stolen from residential properties with cars, churches, building sites and factories also targeted.

“These new laws give the council greater powers to crack down on illegal scrap merchants, but we need the help of the public to report any suspicious dealers to the council or the police.”

Courtesy: www.shieldsgazette.com