A man who was allegedly stealing scrap metal was stopped in his tracks after quick-thinking staff at a Shropshire business blocked his van, police said.

Officers said workers at Oakley Arnold Ltd, in Broseley, acted to block the vehicle in and alerted the police when they suspected the man was stealing items of scrap metal from a neighbouring premises.

Officers said the incident happened on Thursday.

They said within minutes of officers arriving a 23-year-old man from the Brierley Hill area was arrested. He

And police added that the van and its contents were then seized for forensic examination.

Officers said although only one person was arrested, others had been reported in the area, and an investigation was continuing.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, head of CID in Shropshire, said the incident showed just how important it was for police and the public to work together to tackle crime.

Vigilance

Mr Edwards said: “Thanks to their vigilance, police were able to get there while the suspects were still on scene and make an arrest.

“By working together, people can help us make a real difference to crime levels of all kinds in their area.”

Operation Livewire is West Mercia Police’s high profile campaign to tackle the theft of metals such as lead, copper, cast iron and steel, which officers say has been on the increase over the past year.

Spot checks are carried out on any vehicle seen carrying scrap metal.

Random checks could also be made at any time at the county’s scrap metal merchants to cut off any possible outlet for those stealing items.

“Like the police, our decent, law-abiding members of the public are sick of people stealing lead from their children’s school roof or ripping out copper wire and cutting off their phone or electrical supply,” added Mr Edwards.

“Offenders need to realise that we have a lot of willing eyes and ears out there and there is a strong chance they will find themselves in handcuffs sooner rather than later.”

• The man arrested in Broseley has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

By Paul Mannion