New measures to fight metal theft

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is holding a summit to highlight the devastating impact metal theft has on businesses and communities across Scotland.

Industry experts and enforcement agencies will be in attendance at the event to help lead the fight against metal theft in what the SBRC is describing as ‘the biggest conference of its kind’.

The event due to take place on 23 February in Cambuslang, follows on from the government’s announcement on key legislation that will outlaw scrap metal dealers from accepting cash payments and will force them to identify sellers in an effort to strengthen the laws regarding the trade of scrap metal.

By becoming a ‘cashless industry’ it is envisaged illegal activity will become far more traceable – curbing potential criminal behaviour.

The SBRC is the Scottish government’s business resilience arm and its Metal Theft and Business Resilience Lead Jim Scott commented: “The new legislation provides the authorities with their most powerful tool in the fight against metal theft.

“By ensuring scrap metal dealers no longer accept cash payments, along with measures to record and verify the identity of people selling metal, it will provide greater traceability and curb the potential for criminal behaviour.

“This Metal Theft Summit will bring together key voices and leaders on a crime which continues to severely harm businesses and wreak havoc in communities – whether that be through stolen lead in church roofs, catalytic converters stolen from vehicles, or phone lines ripped from the ground.

“As part of our drive to tackle metal theft, we must look to improve reporting and vigilance, as well as raise awareness of the responsibilities faced by those who trade in scrap metal – especially in the lead up to the legislation changes.”

The SBRC and the British Transport Police have been working alongside Police Scotland, DWP and Trading Standards to ensure the success of awareness raising initiative, Operation Scandium.

Mr Scott said Operation Scandium has been “successful” but more needs to be done. He commented: “Until the new legislation is put in place, summits such as these are extremely important in underlining what people can do to help reduce these crimes.”

Chief Superintendent John McBride of the British Transport Police said: “We will continue to work closely with the industry and a wide range of partners to ensure the affect of the new legislation is communicated and understood.

“While we have seen a welcome decrease in the number of incidents from a high of several years ago, metal theft continues to disrupt and inconvenience industry and the public as well as being costly to rectify.”

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