A series of raids took place yesterday, Wednesday, 18 January, across the north east to crack down on scrap metal dealers suspected of receiving stolen metal.
Operation Mansoncity involving Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria police forces, supported by British Transport Police, targeted 10 dealers who have failed to voluntarily co-operate with Operation Tornado, the latest initiative to make the sale of stolen metal for scrap more difficult.
Preliminary results from today’s operation show that 36 people were arrested on suspicion of money laundering by the forces. 10 scrap yards were also closed down as part of the raids and large quantities of money has been seized by officers.
BTP Deputy Chief Constable Paul Crowther, who chairs the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Metal Theft Working Group, was in Durham for the operation.
“This multi-force operation targeted those scrap metal dealers who are suspected of profiting from proceeds of metal theft and money laundering,” said DCC Crowther.
“Scrap metal dealers have a responsibility to ensure the metal they buy is from legitimate sources and that they keep appropriate records.
“It is not acceptable to turn a blind eye to stolen metal. By helping criminals to turn stolen metal into cash, often quickly and easily, dealers are fuelling this crime which is blighting our infrastructure and disrupting the lives of ordinary people on a daily basis.
“Whilst longer term we are looking for a change to the legislation to make it harder for stolen metal to be sold, we will continue to work within the current legislation to target the business practices of those dealers who wilfully flout the law for their own gain.
“The operation sends a clear signal that we will not allow dealers to ignore the law.”
82% of scrap metal dealers in the north eastern counties of Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria are currently taking part in a pilot project, Operation Tornado, which began on 3 January 2011, strengthening the requirements for sellers to provide identification.
The pilot was developed in partnership with the British Metals Recycling Association and is one of a number of measures currently being explored to restrict the sale and movement of stolen metal.
Operation Tornado has been designed not to inhibit those dealers that operate legitimate businesses, but to deter thieves and cut crime.
