BMRA calls for action against metal thieves

Following on from further hints that the government is considering a cash ban across the scrap metal industry, the head of the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has called for ministers to turn their attention to thieves not legitimate scrap metal dealers.

In response to comments from Home Office minister for crime prevention Lord Henley on the Today programme, BMRA director general Ian Hetherington urged the government to look at ways of clamping down on metal thieves rather than imposing a cashless payment system across the scrap trade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘We need to see police guidance at a national level’
Ian Hetherington, BMRA

Regulation

Speaking to letsrecycle.com Mr Hetherington said: A lot of problems lie in the people selling the scrap metal rather than the scrap yards themselves. Normally in trading terms, it is the seller who is regulated, rather than the buyer but by imposing a cashless system, we are looking at a situation that will be the converse of normal trade regulations.

What we are saying to the government is that we would like them to think carefully about whose behaviour they would like to change; people buying scrap or those selling it illegally.

The BMRA has been vocal in its opposition to proposals for a cashless payment system, highlighting concerns within the industry that without proper enforcement, a cash been could ultimately benefit illegal traders (see letsrecycle.com story).

Operation Tornado

Mr Hetherington did however praise Operation Tornado the government anti-metal theft initiative launched in the North East earlier this month. The operation, a six month trial lead by Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland police services and the British Transport Police will make it compulsory for anyone selling scrap metal to produce valid identification and proof of address at point of sale.

In the past there have been well meaning police initiatives in local areas to combat metal theft in the short term, but these can often lead criminals to simply operate in a different area. We need to see police guidance at a national level, and initiatives like Operation Tornado rolled out across the country.

Lord Henley, whose department has overseen the launch of Operation Tornado welcomed the initiative and urged scrap dealers to help the police eradicate the illegal metal trade. He said: We are working with the police and other law enforcement agencies on what immediate steps can be taken to better identify rogue metal dealers.

I welcome Operation Tornado and hope that the many legitimate members of the scrap and recycling industry in the North East will use this opportunity to help us to remove unscrupulous dealers who operate outside the law or turn a blind eye to stolen material.