Metal thieves feel the heat

GREATER Manchester Police have made nine arrests during searches of 46 scrap-metal dealers in a continuing crackdown on metal thefts.

Four of the scrapyards visited last week were in Oldham, though no arrests were made.

As part of Operation Alloy, GMP officers also supported colleagues in Merseyside, British Transport and Ports Police in a joint operation targeting four scrap dealers around Liverpool Docks that resulted in a further four arrests and the recovery of 12 tonnes of BT cable.

Divisional police officers across Greater Manchester are now making weekly visits to local scrap yards they believe may be actively helping offenders off-load stolen metals or are allowing this to happen through “lax business practices”.