Upbeat, November 2012 - Essex Police

Feature 15
Aiming to ‘scrap’ illegal metal yards
Metal thefts in Essex have been
reduced by more than 50 per cent in
five months following the launch of a
nationwide crackdown on the crime
Operation Tornado, the codename for an on-going
series of scrapyard visits, roadside stop checks and
district patrols, was launched at the end of May, a
month when 358 metal thefts were reported across
the county.
Figures for September showed the number of thefts
reduced to 161. And, next month, for the first time,
following the issue of a warrant, officers will be able to
enter illegal scrap metal yards, inspecting any premises
unregistered with a local authority.
Currently, officers can only access registered
scrapyards ‘at a reasonable time’ to inspect transaction
books and material thought to be linked to metal
theft.
Last year, the rising value of metals led to a soaring
number of thefts in Essex. In July 2011 the number of
thefts peaked at 450, ranging from lead from church
roofs and metal in catalytic convertersto hi-tech BT
telephone cable and copper strip lightning conductors
on National Grid pylons.
Road signs, manhole covers and railway signalling
and power cable was being taken.
Following the advent of Operation Tornado, officers
now routinely stop dozens of vehicles carrying scrap
and also visit scrapyards to check sales records and
stop and search the vehicles of yard customers.
Road policing operations – such as Surround A
Town – also involve the stopping and checking of
vehicles carrying scrap metals and a number of people
have been arrested after being found in possession of
stolen metals.
Chief Insp Jason Scrivener, who is leading Operation
Tornado in Essex, says: “Metal theft is a crime that
affects thousands of people in many different ways.
“Churches, school and other public buildings
have been closed as a result of theft from roofs, rail
passengers have had journeys delayed, and whole
towns have had their phones cut off after BT cable
was stolen. It is a serious problem and has significant
financial and social implications.
“The number of metal thefts has
reduced significantly over the last six
months, some of which is attributable
to increased focus and engagement
with dealerships but significant work
is still needed to ensure that we create
a hostile environment for those that
choose to break the law.
“I am delighted with the take-up
of the voluntary code of practice we
introduced for scrapyards.
“Designated officers have been
working hard with scrap merchants to
encourage participation in signing up
to the Tornado scheme in advance of
the legislation change.”
From December 3, new legislation will
make it an offence for scrap metal dealers to pay cash
for scrap. Instead, they must pay by cheque or by
electronic transfer of funds. Greater fines will also be
introduced against offenders.
Neighbourhood police officers are working closely
with scrap dealers within their areas, regularly
conducting spot checks and visits and organising local
operations to disrupt and deter criminal offences.
Officers from the our Commercial Vehicle and
Casualty Reduction units are also involved in weekly
operations to stop and check commercial vehicles on
main highways through the county.
At a commercial
vehicle operation at
Thurrock, 17 vehicles
connected to the
scrap trade were
stopped and ten
licensing offences and
six roadworthiness
offences detected
Pictures by Simon Willsher
For more information
about next month’s
changes, under the
Legal Aid, Sentencing
and Punishment of
Offenders (LASPO)
Act , visit the
Neighbourhood
Policing intranet site
and click on Volume
Crime and then
Metal Theft for more
information or click
here
UPBEAT November 2012