20 held in scrapyard raids

Out in force — police officers are briefed before the co-ordinated raids on scrapyards in Oldham and other part of Greater Manchester

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TWENTY people have been arrested during raids on scrap dealers across Greater Manchester in a crackdown on metal thefts.

Among the companies searched were Greengate Metals in Chadderton, where three men were arrested on suspicion of converting criminal property and handling stolen goods.

Raids alsotook place in Rochdale, Bury, north Manchester, Bolton and Salford as part of Operation Alloy which tackles the trade in stolen metals. Those arrested remain in police custody for questioning.

Police also searched the home addresses of those arrested.

Supt Craig Thompson, who leads the operation, said: “Since Operation Alloy was launched more than two years ago, we have made huge inroads into tackling metal theft. Despite a sharp drop in metal thefts, we know thieves believe they can offload stolen metal on scrapyards. Any dealer who knowingly accepts stolen goods or pays cash for metal is propagating this cycle of criminality.”

Since the operation began, incidents of metal theft across Greater Manchester have fallen from 900 a month to 200.

Chief Supt Pete Mason, North-West area commander of British Transport Police, said: “Whether thieves target railway cable, power lines, electrical sub-stations or lead from homes or business, the impact felt by communities is marked and causes not only disruption but also financial loss and potential risk.”