Ottaway (Conservative MP for Croydon South), deputy chief constable Paul Crowther (ACPO lead for metal theft) and Home Office minister Lord Henley met yesterday to outline the scope of the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill and to explain why, despite recent success in metal theft operations around the country, legislative reform is necessary.
Ottaway has so far received cross-party support for his Bill, as well as the backing of the BMRA (the metal recycling industry’s Trade Association), energy and network organisations, the Church of England and the War Memorials Trust.
“Metal theft is a distressing and destructive problem that affects individuals, communities and businesses right across the country,” explained Ottaway. “Aside from the carnage caused by thieves targeting our transport, energy and telecommunications infrastructure, we’re too often seeing the desecration of our churches, war memorials and crematoriums.”
The MP continued: “I’m pleased that my Bill has the backing of the War Memorials Trust. They’re the protectors of the relics of this nation’s heroes. I welcome their support and applaud their excellent campaign In Memoriam 2014 in partnership with the SmartWater Foundation to protect memorials at risk of theft or damage.”
According to Ottaway, the scrap metal industry’s existing regulatory regime – under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 – is “outdated and no longer fit purpose”.
“That is what I’m seeking to reform by empowering local authorities and the police with a more robust and enforceable licence regime for all who deal and collect scrap metal.”
Comment from the War Memorials Trust
Amy Davidson from the War Memorials Trust, said: “Metal theft has had a devastating impact on some war memorials and communities across the country as inscription plaques and statues are stolen from the memorials paid for and put up by communities to commemorate and remember their loved ones killed in conflict. The charity sees Richard Ottaway’s Bill as a means to tackle metal theft and hopes that it might be successful in reducing the number of these devastating crimes.”
The MP’s Bill will seek to introduce a number of new measures, including the following:
- a rigorous application process for any individual or business that carries on in business as a scrap metal dealer to get a licence, which local authorities can refuse
- the power for local authorities to vary and revoke licences
- the power for the police to close unlicensed premises
- the requirement for all sellers of metal to provide verifiable ID at point of sale which is recorded and retained by the dealer
- a ban on cash transactions for all scrap metal dealers without exception, including those who conduct house-to-house collections and motor salvage operators
- the creation of a single national publicly-available register of all scrap metal dealers and hosted by the Environment Agency
- the definition of ‘scrap metal dealer’ to include motor salvage operators, thereby bringing that licensing scheme within one new scrap metal licensing regime
Success of Operation Tornado
DCC Paul Crowther, ACPO’s lead for metal theft, highlighted the success of Operation Tornado, a Government-funded voluntary initiative led by the British Transport Police which requires dealers to take photographic ID and proof of address for all transactions and keep a record of sales. These are two measures proposed in Ottaway’s Bill.
Crowther commented: “I very much welcome the proposals outlined in Richard Ottaway’s Bill as they will fill the current gap in our powers to deal with the minority of dealers who support metal theft or operate outside regulations. Within the British Transport Police we are proud of the work being done to tackle metal theft and have seen significant reductions in offending during 2012, but there is still much more to be done.”
The ACPO lead added: “Activities such as Operation Tornado demonstrate what can be achieved on a short-term basis. They’re making a real difference, but this must be sustainable in the long term. Tornado mainly impacts those recyclers who are working within the law and who sign up voluntarily, leaving the rogue dealers who do not to continue working with impunity.”
For his part, Lord Henley stated: “We are working closely with Richard Ottaway to ensure his Bill delivers a stronger and more effective licensing regime for the scrap metal industry, replacing the outdated Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964. New laws must be supported by effective enforcement, so I welcome the success the BTP has already achieved to crack down on these unscrupulous thieves. Through the work of the National Metal Theft Taskforce and the partnership work of Operation Tornado we are now seeing significant reductions in metal crime.”
In conclusion, the minister said: “The Bill will build further on the action we have already taken to ban cash payments by metal dealers, increase fines AND give police new powers of entry to scrap metal yards. The Bill will also provide law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to bring even more offenders to justice.”