Shropshire police in metal thefts crackdown

A major crackdown on metal thefts was under way in north Shropshire today with police and officials carrying out roadside spot checks in a bid to catch thieves.

Under Operation Ultra Violet police were stopping vehicles as they approached Pennill's Scrapyard in Hinstock, near Market Drayton.

Officers said there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing at the scrapyard, but said they were responding to the ongoing countywide problem of metal thefts as the recession bites and the price of scrap metal rises.

They warned site bosses to ensure their "houses were in order" in case of further spot checks.

Police were joining forces with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, British Transport Police, the Environment Agency, VOSA, the DWP and Smartwater for today's operation. Vehicles were being checked to ensure that the goods were legitimate and occupants had the correct licence and insurance documents to operate as waste carriers.

Detective chief inspector Alan Edwards, of West Mercia Police, said thefts were rising as a result of inc-reased global demand for metals and warned future spot checks could take place.

He said: "Whether it is the lead stripped from your children's school roof or your local church, copper piping and water tanks ripped out of newly-built houses or the risk of injury or serious damage to your car from driving into an open drain where the cover has been nicked, this is a crime which can have a big impact on communities."

Mr Edwards said: "Every vehicle we see carrying scrap will be stopped and checked to ensure those on board have the correct licence and insurance and that the laden goods come from a legitimate source."