Scrap dealers in Nantwich and other Cheshire towns have joined forces with police to combat metal theft.
The businesses have signed up to a scheme which reinforces their commitment to stamping out dodgy metal deals.
Garratts in Nantwich, Sandbach Car and Commercial, Enviro Skip at Radway Green and Houston′s in Crewe have all agreed they will not accept scrap from people in taxis, on foot or on pushbikes.
Posters displayed in their premises will highlight this.
And under the scrap metal dealers act 1964, they will be taking down names, addresses and number plates of anyone selling metal to them.
Sgt Adam Cooper, of Crewe NPU, said: “The Eastern area has experienced all forms of metal thefts including lead flashing from roofs, copper piping from derelict houses and commercial premises and grid covers from the road side.
“We have been carrying out operations to tackle the issue including test sales at scrap metal dealers and educating scrap metal dealers to make it harder for thieves to sell their ill gotten gains.
“This scheme goes a step further by getting them on board to make it even more difficult for criminals.”
(PIC: Sgt Adam Cooper and Barrie Garratt at Garratts in Nantwich)
I commend Nantwich and Cheshire on this initiative, goes a long way to restoring public faith and perception of scrap metal merchants, who are not all knowingly dealing with stolen metal! Let’s hope this stops encouraging theft in our communities.