Enforcing new scrap metal laws

The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act will help to foster a positive new era for the UKs 5 billion metals recycling industry.

With effective enforcement by the authorities in England and Wales, it will curb possible outlets for stolen metal, uncover illegal operators and protect legitimate businesses.

The new Act has replaced the outdated 1964 legislation and introduced a new licensing system for scrap metal dealers run by local authorities.

There are higher penalties for breaking the law including operating without a licence, not recording the identity of scrap metal suppliers or issuing cash payments. It will also be easier for police officers to enter and inspect unlicensed premises.

Above all, the new Act gives councils the powers to close operations that are acting illegally.

Cost

However, the real value for the legitimate industry, victims of metal theft and communities across England and Wales will only be realised if the police, local authorities and the courts are prepared to police the licence system and enforce the regulations robustly.

We should reasonably expect all licence applications to be processed by the end of January but in the meantime, scrap metal dealers waiting for their licence should retain any evidence they have of making an application.

BMRA wants the Scrap Metal Dealers Act to be vigorously enforced but we realise that the police and councils need the resources to do this properly.

Unfortunately, funding for the National Metal Theft Taskforce will be withdrawn in March even though police figures show a steady decline in metal theft offences in 2012/13 and prove the success of the taskforce and its collaboration with the industry. If the authorities dont commit the money or manpower to enforce the new legislation, metal theft will increase in the long term.