Metal theft probe

SCRAPYARD operators are being targeted by the authorities in a bid to stop increasing amounts of metal thefts.

Such crimes have risen by 150 per cent nationally in the last two years after demand from countries such as China and India caused prices to rocket.

It includes attacks across Oldham, with lead being stripped from schools to drain covers snatched and copper cables pilfered from railway lines.

Now, Oldham Council, Greater Manchester Police, the Environment Agency and HM Revenue and Customs have teamed up to take action against illegal carriers and rogue scrap yards.

A number of scrap yards have been inspected and records examined by the police. A team of officers also targeted a number of suspect vehicles and their owners, resulting in 11 vehicles being seized and 24 people interviewed.

Altogether, 13 notices were issued, including six fixed penalties for unlicensed carriage of waste and failure to possess waste transfer notes. One vehicle was also seized by police for road traffic offences.

Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, Councillor Mark Alcock, said: “I hope this will send out a strong signal to those who illegally traffic in waste that they will be relentlessly pursued and punished.”

More operations are planned in the coming weeks.