Clamping down on the metal thieves

Metal theft is continuing to cause outrage across the UK and has now prompted the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to announce new legislation to combat the problem.

The Government’s planned amendment to its Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is being welcomed as a positive move by organisations that have been adversely effected by metal theft.

Matthew Craven who owns a Spa in Pointon, near Sleaford, said: “I am delighted about the Home Secretary’s proposal to prohibit cash payments for scrap metal. Metal theft not only causes disruption to our communities but in some instances can prove fatal.

“This is the right thing to do if we are to clamp down on metal theft in our area and I know many clients in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire who have been victim of metal thefts, will be pleased with this legislation change.”

Nicola Currie, the regional director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) which has been campaigning for such legislation, said: “Theresa May’s proposed amendment would create a new criminal offence prohibiting cash payments for the purchase of scrap metal and significantly increase the fines for all offences under the existing Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 that regulates the scrap metal recycling industry.

“This is what the CLA’s Scrap the Cash campaign has been calling for, so we consider it a very good result for the rural economy.”

Mr Craven added: “The stealing is the tip of the iceberg. It is not nice to have anything stolen whether it is scrap metal or something more valuable.”

A huge illicit business, metal theft in the UK is estimated to cost our industries £360m a year.