MOTORISTS IN Mid Wales are to be stopped by police in a bid to stop scrap metal thefts in the region.

Residents and businesses are also being urged to be on their guard after nearly 70 scrap metals thefts in the area in the past six months. Dyfed Powys Police said today it will begin stopping motorists and checking the contents of their vehicles in a bid to combat the increasing number of incidents.

It is also working with neighbouring police forces in a bid to share information about travelling criminals who, it says, are targeting the area to carry out thefts.

Sergeant Kelvin Briggs, of the force’s communities and partnerships team, said some criminals had been visiting businesses during the day to check where scrap metal was kept.

He said they would then return at night, break in and make off with the goods.

“Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for vigilance following a spate of thefts involving scrap metal,” he said.

“A majority of the thefts have taken place at unsecured or uninhabited locations, such as new builds or re-developments.

“There were 67 recorded offences of theft of scrap metal in Powys between April and November this year.

“We have increased patrols and stop-checks in the areas targeted to combat the issue.”

He added: “To ensure members of the public take extra care and don’t become a victim, Dyfed Powys Police would like to highlight ways to make life difficult for the criminals.

“Don’t leave large am-ounts of metals unsecured or in unattended locations. Purchase smaller amounts so it is less attractive to the would-be thief. Never buy metals privately. If so, always go to the seller’s house. A thief will not want to be traced to an address.

“Also, use protective marking on your metals such as Smartwater – the innovative liquid forensic coding system is an effective deterrent and assigns each user with their own DNA-style code, providing property with a forensic link back to the owner.”

Anybody with any information about such incidents, or who has seen anything suspicious is asked to call Dyfed-Powys Police on 0845 3302000 or Crime-Stoppers on 0800 555111.

By Andrew Morris