UK targets against metal theft
The government said on Friday it has put forward amendments to a bill that prohibits cash payments for the purchase of scrap metal, requires records to be kept of payment recipients, and increases maximum fines for offences.
“If the Bill is enacted, it is envisaged that these provisions would come into effect in autumn 2012,” it said in a response to a report by the transport committee of the House of Commons, the lower house of parliament.
“This would provide a direct means of tracking the financial audit trail for sales of scrap metal, and hence go a substantial way towards enabling the identification of the sellers of stolen material.”
“The fact that they have done that is very encouraging. I would anticipate that the cashless scheme will take full effect in a few months,” said Tony Glover, head of press and public affairs at the ENA.
“In many ways I liken the cashless regime as the jewel in the crown. They will now have to use cheques, bank transfers and cards so it’s all traceable.”
Around 15,000 tonnes of metal is stolen annually, according to the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA). The UK recycles about 13 million tonnes of metal every year.
“Metal theft rates have fallen quite drastically in some parts of the country because the police have done a very good job in clamping down on this crime,” said BMRA director general Ian Hetherington.
“The 5 million pounds originally allocated has had some impact and we would like to have seen an extension of that as it continues to provide the sort of intelligence coordination which we think this needs.”
